Protamine Nanocapsule Shell Stabilization via Non-Ionic Surfactants
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Solution Overview
Problem
Protamine destabilizes oil/water emulsions, making it impossible to use in formulations with oily cores, limiting its application in nanocapsule systems.
Innovation Solution
Development of nanocapsule systems with a protamine shell, an oily core, and surfactants having a hydrophilic-lipophilic ratio greater than 8, which are not phospholipids, to create stable systems that can effectively deliver active substances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If protamine is used to form nanocapsules with an oily core, then the nanocapsules can deliver both hydrophilic and lipophilic active substances, but the protamine destabilizes the oil/water emulsion making the formulation impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces non-ionic surfactants (Tween 20, Tween 80, Span 20, Span 80) as intermediary substances that mediate between the protamine shell and the oily core. These surfactants act as compatibility agents that prevent protamine from destabilizing the oil/water interface, allowing the nanocapsule system to maintain emulsion stability while still incorporating protamine's beneficial properties for delivering both hydrophilic and lipophilic substances
Solution Approach 2:
The nanocapsule system employs a composite structure consisting of multiple materials: protamine as the shell material, non-ionic surfactants as stabilizing agents, and an oily core. This composite approach combines the advantages of protamine (positive charge for biological surface interaction, adjuvant activity) with the stabilizing properties of non-ionic surfactants, creating a formulation that overcomes the inherent instability issue
2Ease of operation
If protamine is used as a shell material, then the nanocapsules gain positive surface charge for interaction with biological surfaces, but this same property causes emulsion destabilization
Solution Approach 1:
Non-ionic surfactants serve as intermediary layers at the oil/water interface, shielding the protamine's destabilizing effect while allowing the positive charge to remain available for biological surface interactions. The surfactants mediate between protamine's electrostatic properties and the emulsion's physical stability requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different functional properties to different parts of the nanocapsule system: the protamine shell provides positive charge for biological interaction, while the non-ionic surfactants localized at the oil/water interface provide emulsion stability. This spatial separation of functions allows both properties to coexist without conflict
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to the design and development of nanocapsule systems for the administration of active substances, wherein the nanocapsules of the system have a mean diameter less than 1 µm and are characterized by comprising (a) a protamine shell, (b) an oily core, and one or more surfactants characterized by having a hydrophilic-lipophilic ratio greater than 8, provided that said surfactant is not a phospholipid.