3rd Annual Academic Symposium - Sowmya Kuriti

The objective of this study is to prepare and characterize clotrimazole nanoparticles with particle size range of 100 nm or less using emulsification- diffusion method. In this method, a partially water-miscible solvent (propylene carbonate) containing the polymer (Poly D,L-lactide-co-glycolic acid) and the drug (Clotrimazole) is added slowly to an aqueous phase(water) containing the stabilizer (Didodecyl dimethyl ammonium bromide) to form a conventional o/w emulsion. Subsequent addition of water to this o/w emulsion causes the solvent to diffuse into the external phase, resulting in the formation of nanoparticles. Nanoparticles suspension is subjected to ultracentrifugation at a speed of 150,000 g. Obtained pellet of nanoparticles is washed with water thrice, re-centrifuged and lyophilized to obtain free flowing nanoparticles. Particle size and zeta potential of nanoparticles is studied using Malvern zeta sizer. Nanoparticles are evaluated for the presence of any residual solvent using Gas Chromatography (GC). Drug entrapment efficiency and percent yield are also analyzed.