Valsartan-loaded ethyl cellulose and poly(methyl methacrylate) nanoparticles were prepared and nano spray-dried. The active agent was structurally changed in the nanoparticles, which could be advantageous in the intestinal absorption.

The bioavailability of the antihypertensive drug valsartan can be enhanced by various microencapsulation methods. In the present investigation, valsartan-loaded polymeric nanoparticles were manufactured from Eudragit® RLPO using an emulsion–solvent evaporation method. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was found to be a suitable stabilizer for the nanoparticles, resulting in a monodisperse colloid system ranging in size between 148 nm and 162 nm. Additionally, a high encapsulation efficiency (96.4%) was observed. However, due to the quaternary ammonium groups of Eudragit® RLPO, the stabilization of the dispersion could be achieved in the absence of PVA as well. The nanoparticles were reduced in size (by 22%) and exhibited similar encapsulation efficiencies (96.4%). This more cost-effective and sustainable production method reduces the use of excipients and their expected emission into the environment. The drug release from valsartan-loaded nanoparticles was evaluated in a two-stage biorelevant dissolution set-up, leading to the rapid dissolution of valsartan in a simulated intestinal medium. In silico simulations using a model validated previously indicate a potential dose reduction of 60–70% compared to existing drug products. This further reduces the expected emission of the ecotoxic compound into the environment.

Octyl laurate phase change material (PCM) was microencapsulated by calcium alginate for eco-friendly low temperature energy storage. The PCM microcapsules were prepared by repeated interfacial coacervation followed by crosslinking method. In order to enhance the antibacterial properties of the as prepared capsules, the calcium alginate shell was functionalized by Ag nanoparticles. Calcium alginate-octyl laurate microcapsules possessed high latent heat of fusion values (130.8 and 128.6 J g−1 on melting and cooling, respectively) which did not significantly change when Ag nanoparticles were entrapped in the shell (127.5 and 125.2 J g−1 for melting and freezing enthalpy changes). Based on these values 71.0 and 69.0% maximal PCM content in the microcapsules were determined by the differential scanning calorimetry method. Both of the Ag-loaded and unloaded calcium alginate-octyl laurate PCM capsules maintained the high heat storing capacity after 250 warming and cooling cycles, which proved they did not suffer from leakage after the accelerated thermal test.