Electrosprayed poly(vinyl alcohol) particles: preparation and evaluation of their drug release profile

Encapsulation of bioactive molecules within polymeric particles is a challenge because of several limitations, including low drug‐loading efficiency, unwanted release profile, polydispersity and batch‐to‐batch variation in reproducibility, along with the limitations of scaling up the process. It is essential to control the morphology of pure polymer particles in the first instance, in order to obtain the desired release profile of drugs from the particles during a later stage. Here we report the preparation of electrosprayed particles from a water‐soluble US Food and Drug Administration‐recognized polymer, namely poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), as an approach towards a short‐term drug delivery vehicle. Through electrospraying and varying the solvent ratios, three different sizes of particles were prepared, with sizes ranging from 500 to 2000 nm. Insulin was chosen as a model bioactive molecule, and the release profile of the drug was studied after its incorporation in the PVA particles. Fractional release plots obtained showed short‐term release of insulin within the first 60 min. Release curves were analyzed according to the Ritger–Peppas model, suggesting Fickian diffusion as the predominant insulin release mechanism from the PVA particles. This work suggests electrosprayed PVA particles as an innovative drug delivery system for short‐term administration of drugs. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry