Preparation of biocompatible, biodegradable water-insoluble polysaccharide microparticles, used e.g. as fillers for polymers or in diagnostic tests

摘要

Spherical water-insoluble microparticles are formed from branched polyglucan (optionally mixed with linear polysaccharide) are prepared by precipitation from solution, Preparation of spherical microparticles consisting at least partially of water-insoluble polysaccharide (I) involves dissolving (I) in a solvent, contacting the solution with a precipitant, optionally cooling and separating the obtained microparticles. (I) consists of (i) a branched polyglucan (BPG) having a branching degree of 8% or less or (ii) a mixture of a BPG (with no restriction on the degree of branching) with a linear polysaccharide (LPS), where the amount of BPG in the mixture is at most 30 % based on the combined weight of LPS and BPG. Independent claims are included for smooth surfaced spherical microparticles obtained by the process; and spherical microparticles consisting at least partially of insoluble BPG (with no restriction on the degree of branching).