Size-Controllable and Scalable Production of Liposomes Using a V-Shaped Mixer Micro-Flow Reactor

Abstract

The use of microfluidics has been regarded as a promising solution for the costly and complex preparation of liposomes, and the development of controllable and scalable liposome production using simple-structured, readily available, and inexpensive “off-the-shelf” microfluidics remains important pursuit. We have achieved simple and inexpensive production of liposomes using an off-the-shelf V-shaped mixer. The size of liposomes was controlled (50–70 nm diameter, PDI < 0.1) in the desired range (<100 nm) by changing the relative flow rate of the ethanol solution of lipids and the aqueous solution. The developed approach is scalable (12 mL/min), and several representative lipids, including inexpensive Span 60, can be used for the preparation of nanoparticles.