Synthesis and Characterization of Crosslinked Galactomannan Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery Application

Abstract

Galactomannan nanoparticles possess attractive properties such as biodegradable and biocompatible; significant in biomedical applications. Galactomannan (GA) isolated from the mature seed of a local plant, petai belalang known scientifically as Leucaena leucocephala were modified to acrylated galactomannan (AcGA) which acted as a precursor molecule for the preparation of crosslinked galactomannan nanoparticles (CL-GA). AcGA was synthesized using acryloyl chloride (AC) as a chemical modifier through esterification process. Trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA) was used as the crosslinker for the preparation of CL-GA. Successful conjugation of GA with acrylates was verified by 1H NMR and FTIR spectroscopies. Thermal properties of pure galactomannan, AcGA and CL-GA were measured using DSC to complement spectroscopic results. TEM images revealed the particle size of AcGA to be in the range of 30-100 nm; and increased to 200-850 nm range after the crosslinking process. Efficiency of CL-GA to trap crystal violet dye as a model drug was followed by UV Vis Spectroscopy. Results showed that CL-GA is capable of trapping crystal violet dye and has the potential to be used as a drug carrier.