POS4-1270
Evaluation of Biodegradable Polymer-Based Nanocarriers for Lipophilic Bioactive Compounds
Topic
S4. Colloids, Interfaces, and Molecular Assemblies for Functional Soft Materials
When and Where
Sep 29, 2026
08:30 - 09:30
Room 301 (Grand Ballroom)
Session Chairs
Hae Jung SON
Boseok KANG
Presenter(s)
Heewon Park (Gachon University)
Co-Author(s)
Abstract
Evaluation of Biodegradable Polymer-Based Nanocarriers for Lipophilic Bioactive Compounds
Heewon Park, Kisung Kim, Chan Ho Park* 가천대학교 (chhopark@gachon.ac.kr)
Lipophilic bioactive compounds are widely utilized in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food applications; however, their practical use is often limited by poor aqueous solubility, low bioavailability, and instability. Biodegradable polymer nanoparticles have emerged as promising nanocarriers for such compounds, owing to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and controlled-release behavior, which improve the stability and delivery efficiency of the encapsulated actives. However, systematic comparative studies evaluating the performance of nanoparticles prepared from different biodegradable polymers remain limited, and rational criteria for polymer selection have yet to be established. In this study, curcumin was employed as a model lipophilic bioactive compound, and nanoparticles were prepared by the nanoprecipitation method using four biodegradable polymers: poly(lactic acid) (PLA), poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBH), and poly(butylene adipate terephthalate) (PBAT). The prepared nanoparticles were systematically evaluated in terms of encapsulation efficiency, particle size, release behavior, and long-term stability under different temperature conditions. Through this systematic comparison, the study seeks to establish rational criteria for polymer selection and a design basis for application-specific biodegradable nanocarriers.
Keywords: Biodegradable polymer, nanoparticles, curcumin, PLA, PBAT, PHBH, PLGA
Heewon Park, Kisung Kim, Chan Ho Park* 가천대학교 (chhopark@gachon.ac.kr)
Lipophilic bioactive compounds are widely utilized in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food applications; however, their practical use is often limited by poor aqueous solubility, low bioavailability, and instability. Biodegradable polymer nanoparticles have emerged as promising nanocarriers for such compounds, owing to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and controlled-release behavior, which improve the stability and delivery efficiency of the encapsulated actives. However, systematic comparative studies evaluating the performance of nanoparticles prepared from different biodegradable polymers remain limited, and rational criteria for polymer selection have yet to be established. In this study, curcumin was employed as a model lipophilic bioactive compound, and nanoparticles were prepared by the nanoprecipitation method using four biodegradable polymers: poly(lactic acid) (PLA), poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBH), and poly(butylene adipate terephthalate) (PBAT). The prepared nanoparticles were systematically evaluated in terms of encapsulation efficiency, particle size, release behavior, and long-term stability under different temperature conditions. Through this systematic comparison, the study seeks to establish rational criteria for polymer selection and a design basis for application-specific biodegradable nanocarriers.
Keywords: Biodegradable polymer, nanoparticles, curcumin, PLA, PBAT, PHBH, PLGA
