2134/5651 G. Gasparini G. Gasparini Richard Holdich Richard Holdich S.R. Kosvintsev S.R. Kosvintsev PLGA particle production for water soluble drug encapsulation: degradation and release behaviour Loughborough University 2009 Membrane emulsification Diffusion Surface erosion Chemical Engineering not elsewhere classified 2009-12-11 14:27:42 Journal contribution https://repository.lboro.ac.uk/articles/journal_contribution/PLGA_particle_production_for_water_soluble_drug_encapsulation_degradation_and_release_behaviour/9241823 Particles for subcutaneous depot use encapsulating a model water soluble drug have been produced from poly(lactic-glycolic acid) (PLGA) using a membrane emulsification – solvent evaporation technique. The release behaviour, mainly the change in size and inner morphology are reported. During release, the particles initially swelled in size, then reduced. A diffusion based model, taking in to account the change in particle size, is presented. Surface erosion is evident from the particle size and image evidence, and the diffusion model provides a fit to the data even during the surface erosion period, suggesting that the model drug diffuses before the particle degrades.