ULTRA-SMALL CHITOSAN NANOPARTICLES USEFUL AS BIOIMAGING AGENTS AND METHODS OF MAKING SAME

摘要

A method of making ultra-small chitosan nanoparticles having a size range of approximately 10-20 nm, includes preparing a first microemulsion containing effective amounts of cyclohexane, n-hexanol, chitosan polymer and a nonionic surfactant. A second microemulsion is prepared containing effective amounts of cyclohexane, n-hexanol, tartaric acid, EDC, n-hydroxysuccinimide, and a nonionic surfactant. The method continues by reacting the first and second microemulsions for a time sufficient to form the ultra-small chitosan nanoparticles and recovering the nanoparticles from the reacted microemulsion. The chitosan polymer may be crosslinked and may also be tagged with a fluorescent compound, a radio-opaque compound, a paramagnetic ion, a ligand specific for a predetermined biologic target, a drug, and combinations thereof.