Application of Non-Destructive Testing Techniques (NDTT) to Characterize Nanocarriers Used for Drug Delivery: A Mini Review

The synthesis of tailored and highly engineered multifunctional pharmaceutical nanocarriers is an emerging field of study in drug delivery applications. They have a high surface-area-to-volume ratio, aiding the targeted drug’s biodistribution and pharmacokinetic properties. Therefore, the characterization of nanocarriers is critical for understanding their physicochemical properties, which significantly impact their molecular and systemic functioning. To achieve specific goals, particle size, surface characteristics, and drug release properties of nanocarriers must be managed. This mini review provides an overview of the applications of non-destructive testing techniques (NDTT) to reveal the characteristics of nanocarriers, considering their surface charge, porosity, size, morphology, and crystalline organization. The compositional and microstructural characterization of nanocarriers through NDTT, such as dynamic light scattering, X-ray diffraction, confocal laser scanning microscopy, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, have been comprehensively reviewed. Furthermore, NDTT is only used to characterize physicochemical parameters related to the physiological performance of nanocarriers but does not account for nanocarrier toxicity. Hence, it is highly recommended that in the future, NDTT be developed to assess the toxicity of nanocarriers. In addition, by developing more advanced, effective, and precise techniques, such as machine vision techniques using artificial intelligence, the future of using NDTT for nanocarrier characterization will improve the evaluation of internal quality parameters.