On the Importance of Mucin Corona to prevent Nanocapsules Aggregation for Oral Delivery

Abstract

Extended Abstract Bacterial biofilms, that are multispecies colonies, provide bacteria with protection against adverse environmental conditions and lead to the appearance of multi-drug resistant strains. Inhibition of virulence by disrupting quorum sensing ( QS ), which is a cell-cell communication strategy, has been recognised for the fight against multidrug resistant bacteria. N,N’ -(Di-m-methylphenyl)urea (DMTU) can be used to fight against oral biofilms, given its QS inhibition capacity that blocks the expression of virulence factors in Streptococcus mutans [1]. NC), 24 lower than ~500 nm. Further increase in mucin content, at mucin: CS-coated DMTU-loaded o/w NC ratio equal to 0.67 w:w, mucin coated completely CS-coated DMTU-loaded o/w NC as seen the highly negative charge recorded immediately after their interaction (< -20 mV). After 24 h, the structures showed an hydrodynamic diameter of ~250 nm, which agrees with previously reported results that relate the decrease in the size with an increase in polymers flexibility Future studies will evaluate the stability of the mucin: CS-coated DMTU-loaded o/w NC in simulated saliva fluid. The results of this work offer new insights into the modification of the surface identity and stability of chitosan-coated nanocapsules which full potential in buccal delivery is yet to be realised.