Synthesis of Chitosan-Folic Acid Nanoparticles as a Drug Delivery System for Propolis Compounds

Abstract

This chapter discusses the method to synthesize chitosan-folic acid nanoparticles. Developments in nanotechnology provide an alternative drug delivery system. Chitosan is a polymer that can be utilized to make nanoparticles because it is biodegradable, non-toxic and inexpensive. These characteristics are important for the drug delivery system. To optimize this system, a specific ligand conjugated to the nanoparticle can aid in directing the nanoparticle to the cell target. Folic acid can be used as a ligand to direct nanoparticles to cell targets with high folic acid receptors such as tumor cells. In this research, a chitosan nanoparticle was synthesized to deliver propolis to the cell target. Since propolis bioavailability in the body is relatively low, its bioavailability needs to be improved by encapsulating it in nanoparticles. The purpose of this study is to synthesize folic acid conjugated chitosan nanoparticles that encapsulate propolis compounds. The effect of the molar ratio between chitosan:folic acid:sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP), chitosan molecular weight, encapsulated propolis concentration, sonication in the synthesis of chitosan-folic acid-containing propolis nanoparticles (NP-KF-P), and chitosan-folic acid conjugate nanoparticles (NP-KF-blanks) were also studied. The encapsulation efficiency of propolis in NP-KF and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometer (FTIR) of the nanoparticles was also observed. NP-KF-P and NP-KF-blanks were successfully synthesized by the ionic gelation method. The diameters of NP-KF-P and NP-KF-blanks were 153.9 ± 1.3 and 129.0 ± 3.4 nm, respectively. Propolis encapsulation efficiency in NP-KF-P was 30.37–73.36%, and 90% of the propolis could be released at pH 4.