Benefits
The rapidity (the entire process takes place in times on the order of seconds) with which the entire drying process takes place makes it possible to:
- encapsulate even heat-sensitive molecules without compromising their stability, keeping all their properties intact
- work with bacterial cells, yeasts and viruses, preserving their viability
- work efficiently on small volumes (50ml) with high processivity (1L/h), then quickly test numerous experimental conditions and produce quantities of product for qualitative and efficacy testing
- obtain a dry product that is easy to transport and package, so that the technology is suitable for large-scale industrial production.
Applications for Nanomnia technology
The Spray dryer B-290 (Buchi) is a very versatile tool.
With the Spray dryer B-290 (Holes), at Nanomnia Labs, we are able to encapsulate molecules of all kinds, including the most delicate ones such as vitamins, proteins, bacteria, yeasts, and viruses.
Specifically, we work on a wide variety of both organic and inorganic molecules such as:
- plant extracts as biostimulants, using polymers suitable for foliar applications
- actives for cosmetic formulations, to ensure absorption and slow release
- molecules for slow release also in nutraceutical products
- bacteria and yeasts for the food industry
- innovative materials for processes in industry and construction.
Structure
The main elements that make up the tool are:
- peristaltic pump
- nozzle to get the spray
- drying cylinder
- cyclone for the collection of particulate matter.
In Nanomnia the basic equipment of the tool has been implemented with:
- one filter for hot air and one for compressed air with an attached dehumidifier, to ensure always optimal operating conditions
- two nozzles (0.7 and 2.0 mm) for the synthesis of a wide dimensional range of microparticles
- a triple fluid nozzle to work simultaneously with two different solutions, so as to perform numerous combinations and core-shell encapsulations
- a high performance cyclone to improve the recovery of small particles and increase the yield in the test phase.
How does it work
The starting solution, with a density up to 300 cps, can be constituted by reagents in the form of a solution or in suspension. Sample preparation is critical because the encapsulated molecule and encapsulating matrix must be added in the right concentrations and proportions.
A peristaltic pump channels this mixture to a nozzle from which it comes out in the form of a high pressure spray (8 bar).
The nozzles available are multiple and able to characterize the size of the droplets that make up the spray, which will turn into microparticles.
This transformation takes place inside a flow of hot air (up to 220 ° C), in a vertical cylinder, where the micro-droplets are sucked and immediately dried.
The microparticles thus formed are transported to a selection cyclone from which they fall into a collection vessel.
The possibility of optimizing the concentration of the initial solution, the pressure, the temperature and the flow of hot air, allows a complete and instantaneous evaporation of the aqueous phase, guaranteeing an excellent yield of the final product.
