Magnetic microparticles based on natural polymers

Magnetic micro- and nanoparticles based on ferrofluid (maghemite) were elaborated by inverse emulsion crosslinking of sodium salt of carboxymethylcellulose (CMCNa) and gelatin. Crosslinking was carried out with glutaric aldehyde within aqueous droplets dispersed into toluene in presence of surfactants. The influence of parameters such as the ratio of polymers and maghemite in the initial mixture on the composition, size, size dispersity, particle swelling and their ability for drug inclusion was studied. The ability to take-up drugs is directly correlated with the degree of swelling and gelatin content within the particles. Particle size is between tens of nanometers and a few microns. The magnetic properties of particles are demonstrated from saturation magnetization (between 43 and 44 emu g(-1)) when their superparamagnetic character was shown by the absence of hysteresis on the magnetization curve. Polymer-drug systems elaborated under particles keep their bactericide activity for at least 48 h. The absence of toxicity, associated with the bactericide activity, make these systems potential drug carriers. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.