Are reported methods for synthesizing nanoparticles and microparticles by magnetic stirrer reproducible

Abstract

One of the most common tools for fabricating different drug-loaded polymeric particles is magnetic stirrer, a widely-used tool in nano-based drug delivery systems. Typically, the revolutions per minute (rpm) or G-Force of the stirrer are reported in related literature, while other parameters generate less attention and must be better understood. Reporting the rpm or G-Force is likely insufficient for producing the same vortex flow intensity and mono-dispersity as having a reliable and reproducible nanoparticle and microparticle synthesis method. We speculate that the magnetic stirrer bar’s length and diameter, and the size of the cylindrical container, affect the qualities of nanoparticles and microparticles. Given the importance of these particle characteristics in the field of nanomedicine, understanding these details would improve reporting method reliability. These data are currently missing in most related papers and must be reported. The purpose of our study is to highlight the importance of these underestimated parameters (magnetic bar’s length, diameter, and the size of the cylindrical container) and the impact on the reproducibility of particle synthesis methods using a magnetic stirrer.