Preparation of micro and nanoparticles from corn cobs xylan

Xylan, a hemicelllulose extracted from corn cobs, was used to prepare micro and nanoparticles. First, a chemical evaluation of xylan extract was perfo rmed. Then, particles were prepared by a coacervation method based on neutr alization of an alkaline solution with an acid solution. The influence of p olymer content (2.85 to 100 mg/ml) and surfactant presence (0.6 to 1.8%((v/ v))) on the manufacturing process was evaluated. It was demonstrated that n eutralization of the xylan solution with HCl or acetic acid was able to gen erate micro and nanoparticles and that surfactant concentration influences both the particle size stability and morphology. Therefore, the: optimal co ncentration of surfactant was 1.5%((v/v)).