Alginate micro- and nanoparticles are produced by spray-drying for oral delivery of therapeutic peptides and protein

Currently, therapeutic proteins and peptides are delivered subcutaneously, as they are readily denatured in the acidic, protease rich environment of the stomach or gastrointestinal track and have low bioavailability results from poor intestinal absorption through the paracellular route. Encapsulation of therapeutic peptides and proteins into polymeric microand nanoparticle systems has been proposed as a possible strategy to overcome limitations to oral protein administration (Reis et al, 2006). Furthermore, it was shown that nanoparticles having diameters less than 5μm are able to be taken up by the M cells of Peyer’s patches found in intestinal mucosa (Hussein et al., 2001).