Improving the Encapsulation of Ferritin-Like Nanoparticles Within Polymeric Nanofibers Using a New Electrospinning Set-Up and Its Effect Upon Iron Release Properties

Abstract

Encapsulation of nanoparticles (NPs) in polymeric nanofibers is an effective way of controlling physicochemical properties such as stability and integrity. In this study, bioavailable ferritin-like NPs, previously demonstrated to be an effective treatment for iron deficiency anemia (IDA), are encapsulated successfully in the pH-sensitive polymer Eudragit L100 through modification of the electrospinning configuration and reversal of the conventional input voltage. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of these nanofibers show IHAT NPs are enveloped more effectively than in equivalent materials produced by conventional electrospinning. These modifications lead to a significant reduction in the burst release of iron during the first 30 min of dissolution testing at pH 1.0 due to the enhanced encapsulation, potentially reducing the degradation of these NPs in gastric fluids and thereby increasing bioavailability. The materials are also characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), simultaneous thermogravimetric analysis (STA) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Kinetic analysis of the dissolution data showed that the better encapsulated NP formulations reduced burst release of iron. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and TEM measurements of the NPs released from the materials suggest that they are unmodified during the formulation process. The modified electrospinning configuration requires significantly lower energy input than conventional electrospinning.