Surface modification of poly(lactic acid) nanospheres using hydrophobically modified dextrans as stabilizers in an o/w emulsion/evaporation technique.

Sterically stabilized biocompatible poly(lactic acid) (PLA) nanospheres were prepared by an o/w emulsion/evaporation technique, using hydrophobically modified dextrans (DexP) as the emulsion stabilizer. Photon correlation spectroscopy, zetametry, and differential scanning calorimetry studies corroborated that interfacial adhesion between immiscible dextran and PLA chains was achieved by compatibilization of polymer segments via hydrophobic groups grafted onto dextran and thus leading to the formation of entanglements between the hydrophobic dextran parts and the PLA matrix. The presence of dextran exposed at the particle surface was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and by the fact that the suspensions showed an increased stability in concentrated NaCl solutions and a reduction of bovine serum albumin adsorption compared to uncoated PLA nanoparticles. A comparison of the characteristics of PLA nanospheres DexP-coated via the emulsion procedure (NS(em)) with those of PLA particles coated by DexP adsorption (NS(ad)) suggests that the conformation of the polymer in the superficial layers may be different. However, both DexP layers behave similarly in terms of stability and protein adsorption. Copyright 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.