Influence of lactide vs glycolide composition of poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) polymers on encapsulation of hydrophobic molecules: molecular dynamics and formulation studies

Abstract

Highlights Microreactor-based continuous process for the synthesis of PLGA nanoparticles. Miscibility of different PLGA polymers and coumarin-6 was evaluated computationally. Flory–Huggins interaction parameter (χ) was superior for shorter PLGA chains, irrespective of their lactide to glycolide ratio. Polymer chains containing lactide to glycolide ratio of 1:1 resulted in strongest interaction with coumarin-6 due to homogeneous spatial arrangements and superior binding energy. Intra-chain interactions, spatial arrangement, inter-chain binding energies, and polymer–coumarin-6 miscibility influence coiling and flexibility of polymer chains.