Degradation Of Nanoparticles Research Articles

Paclitaxel-loaded biodegradable ROS-sensitive nanoparticles for cancer therapy.

BackgroundReactive oxygen species (ROS), such as hydrogen peroxide and superoxide, trigger biodegradation of polymer-based nanoparticles (NPs) bearing pinacol-type boronic ester groups. These NPs may selectively release their cargo, in this case paclitaxel (PTX), at the high levels of ROS present in the intracellular environment of inflamed tissues and most tumors.PurposeThe main objective was to determine anti-tumor efficacy of PTX-loaded ROS-sensitive NPs and to examine whether macrophage infiltration had any impact on treatment efficacy.MethodsNPs were synthesized and their characteristics in the presence of H2O2 were demonstrated. Both confocal microscopy as well as flow cytometry approaches were used to determine degradation of ROS-sensitive NPs. HeLa cells were cultured in vitro and used to establish tumor xenografts in nude mice. In vivo experiments were performed to understand toxicity, biodistribution and anti-tumor efficacy of the NPs. Moreover, we performed immunohistochemistry on tumor sections to study infiltration of M1 and M2 subsets of macrophages.ResultsWe demonstrated that PTX delivered in NPs containing a ROS-sensitive polymer exhibits a better anti-tumor efficacy than PTX in NPs containing ROS-non-sensitive polymer, free PTX or Abraxane® (nab-PTX). The biodistribution revealed that ROS-sensitive NPs exhibit retention in liver, spleen and lungs, suggesting a potential to target cancer metastasizing to these organs. Finally, we demonstrated a correlation between infiltrated macrophage subsets and treatment efficacy, possibly contributing to the efficient anti-tumor effects.ConclusionTreatment with ROS-sensitive NPs containing PTX gave an improved therapeutic effect in HeLa xenografts than their counterpart, free PTX or nab-PTX. Our data revealed a correlation between macrophage infiltration and efficiency of the different antitumor treatments, as the most effective NPs resulted in the highest infiltration of the anti-tumorigenic M1 macrophages.

One-Pot Formation of Sb-Carbon Microspheres with Graphene Sheets: Potassium-Ion Storage Properties and Discharge Mechanisms.

Low-cost rechargeable batteries are ardently required for large-scale energy storage applications. In this regard, nonaqueous potassium-ion batteries (KIBs) are ascendant candidates due to the abundance of potassium resources, yet their energy density and cycle stability are insufficient for practical use. In this study, we report the Sb-based multicomposite comprising Sb nanoparticles, amorphous carbon (C), and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) as an anode material for KIBs. By adopting the tartaric acid as a carbon source and a chelating agent simultaneously, a multicomposite electrode with uniform and fine-sized Sb particles is realized. The Sb-C-rGO multicomposite exhibits a reversible capacity of 310 mAh g-1 at 0.5 A g-1 and 79% of it is retained after 100 cycles. Electrochemical tests show that the capacity fading in the Sb-C-rGO cell is attributed to the side reactions in the K metal and electrolyte, rather than the degradation of Sb nanoparticles. Furthermore, the formation of the metastable product is elucidated by Ostwald's step rule and density functional theory calculations. The present synthesis approach and the understanding of the failure and working mechanisms provide general insight into developing the alloying-type electrode materials for rechargeable batteries.

Intracellular Trafficking Network and Autophagy of PHBHHx Nanoparticles and their Implications for Drug Delivery

3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate (PHBHHx), which is naturally generated by biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoates synthesized by bacteria, is an attractive material for drug delivery due to its controllable physical properties, non-toxicity, environmental friendliness, degradable properties and good biocompatibility. However, the intracellular trafficking network pathways, especially the autophagy mechanism of PHBHHx nanoparticles (NPs), have rarely been investigated. In this paper, we successfully prepared the NPs used solvent displacement method and investigated the autophagy pathways and other intracellular trafficking mechanisms based on NPs with the assistance of Rab proteins. We found that NPs were internalized in cells mainly via clathrin endocytosis and caveolin endocytosis. Beside the classical pathways, we discovered two new pathways: the micropinocytosis early endosome (EEs)-micropinocytosis-lysosome pathway and the EEs-liposome-lysosome pathway. NPs were delivered to cells through endocytosis recycling vesicles and GLUT4 exocytosis vesicles. Similar to other nanoparticles, NPs also induced intracellular autophagy and were then degraded via endolysosomal pathways. 3-MA and CQ were used as autophagy inhibitors to avoid the degradation of NPs through lysosomes by blocking endolysosomal pathways. Tumor volumes and weights were significantly decreased when autophagy inhibitors and chemical drugs packaged in NPs were cooperatively used.

Simulation of the long-term fate of superparamagnetic iron oxide-based nanoparticles using simulated biological fluids.

Aim: To simulate the stability and degradation of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MNP) in vitro as part of their life cycle using complex simulated biological fluids. Materials & methods: A set of 13 MNP with different polymeric or inorganic shell materials was synthesized and characterized regarding stability and degradation of core and shell in simulated biological fluids. Results: All MNP formulations showed excellent stability during storage and in simulated body fluid. In endosomal/lysosomal media the degradation behavior depended on shell characteristics (e.g., charge, acid-base character) and temperature enabling the development of an accelerated stress test protocol. Conclusion: Kinetics of transformations depending on the MNP type could be established to define structure-activity relationships as prediction model for rational particle design.

Improved photoactivities for CO2 conversion and phenol degradation of α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles by co-coupling nano-sized BiPO4 and CuO to modulate electrons

It's highly desired to design and fabricate effective α-Fe2O3-based photocatalysts by increasing the surface area, promoting the charge separation and providing catalytic function. Herein, specific surface area-enlarged α-Fe2O3 (SE-FO) nanoparticles have been successfully synthesized by a functional molecule-modulated phase-separated hydrothermal method, with high photocatalytic activities for CO2 conversion and phenol degradation. The photocatalytic activities of SE-FO could be greatly improved by coupling nano-sized BiPO4 via an in-situ introduction method. This is attributed to the coupled BiPO4 as a high-energy platform to accept photogenerated electrons from α-Fe2O3 so as to enhance the charge separation mainly by means of surface photovoltage spectra and fluorescence spectra-related to the amount of produced •OH species. Moreover, the photocatalytic activities are further improved by introducing a proper amount of nanocrystalline CuO via a simple impregnation process. It is confirmed based on the temperature-programmed desorption and electrochemical reduction measurements that the improved photoactivity is attributed to the introduced CuO as the co-catalyst for promoting electron-induced reduction reactions. Remarkably, the optimized α-Fe2O3 nanocomposite exhibits about 3-time photoactivity improvement compared with the pristine α-Fe2O3. This work would provide a feasible route to fabricate high-activity α-Fe2O3-based photocatalysts for CO2 conversion and phenol degradation.

Complementary techniques (spICP-MS, TEM, and HPLC-ICP-MS) reveal the degradation of 40 nm citrate-stabilized Au nanoparticles in rat liver after intraperitoneal injection

BackgroundDue to the increased use of engineered nanoparticles (NPs), their tracing in environmental and biological systems is of utmost importance. Besides their accumulation within a biological specimen, little is known about their degradation and transformation into corresponding low-molecular species that might influence any toxicological impact. Analytical methodsWistar rats underwent intraperitoneal injections of 40 nm citrate-stabilized gold nanoparticles. Different liver samples were analysed for the occurrence of nanoparticles and potential degradation products by means of spICP-MS, TEM and HPLC-ICP-MS. Main findingsStudies using spICP-MS revealed the presence of the originally administrated Au NPs (40 nm diameter) and some evidences of other Au-containing species due to the increased background signal. Images obtained by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed the predominant presence of particles of significantly smaller diameter (6 ± 2 nm). As complementary method, HPLC-ICP-MS confirmed the presence of both particle types indicating a degradation of the Au NPs accompanied by detection of low-molecular Au species. ConclusionsThis study underlines that degradation of gold nanoparticles to low-molecular gold species might have to be taken into account in future for studies on their toxicological behaviour and their potential use in clinical applications.

(Invited) Functional Design of Nanoscale Carbon for Active and Durable Electrocatalyst

Previously, carbon was regarded as a support material for nanoparticle utilization in electrocatalysis fields, however various physicochemical tenability via doping, functionalization and morphology engineering opens its functional role in various electrocatalytic applications. Furthermore, carbon materials are highly accentuated as a promising alternative to state-of-art systems based on precious metals due to its cost-effectiveness and natural abundance. In this talk, we discuss simple and straightforward approach to prepare carbon-shell-protected nanoparticles (NPs) that have both high catalytic activity and long-term durability for electrochemical energy applications. A single-step thermal treatment of polydopamine-coated NPs leads to the formation of thin-layer carbon shell, providing physical and chemical protections preventing nanoparticle degradation. Moreover, carbon shell can successfully protect chemical properties of NPs during electrochemical operation condition, verifying superior stability. Finally, we also suggest several promising strategies to enhance utilization of porous nanostructure for electrocatalysis, focusing on pore structure engineering and bridging functional links between electrochemical performance and its pore structure.

Systematic investigation of in vitro and in vivo safety, toxicity and degradation of mesoporous silica nanoparticles synthesized using commercial sodium silicate

Abstract Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) have been extensively investigated as drug delivery carriers due to their unique properties. Although MSNs synthesized using a very economic source of silica, sodium silicate, are promising carriers for drug delivery, information regarding their biocompatibility and in vivo toxicity is scarce. In the present work, biocompatibility, toxicity profile and degradation of mesoporous silica nanoparticles synthesized using commercial sodium silicate have been studied. In vitro degradation studies confirmed that MSNs got degraded to silicic acid within 6 days in PBS 7.4 The synthesized MSNs were found to be biocompatible to different cell lines such as human embryonic kidney (HEK-293) cells, human caucasian colon adenocarcinoma (Caco-2) cells, human liver carcinoma (HepG2) cells and mouse fibroblast (3T3) cells with greater than 90% cell viability at concentration of 200 μg/mL. They did not cause significant hemolysis (only 1.87%) up to 200 μg/mL concentration when incubated for 2 h with chicken red blood cells. Furthermore, hematological and biochemical tests of blood samples as well as histopathological examinations of tissues after MSN injection, confirmed that the MSNs were well tolerated by mice up to 40 mg/kg. Injected MSNs were completely excreted out through urine and feces by rats (injected intravenously with 20 mg/kg of MSNs) within 4 days in form of silicic acid.

Ultrasound Assisted Green Synthesis of Silver and Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Using Fenugreek Seed Extract and Their Enhanced Antibacterial and Antioxidant Activities.

This study reports a facile and ecofriendly approach for the ultrasound assisted synthesis of silver and iron oxide nanoparticles and their enhanced antibacterial and antioxidant activities. The fenugreek seed extract was used as reducing, capping, and stabilizing agent in the synthesis of nanoparticles. The transmission electron microscopy results showed that nanoparticles synthesized by ultrasonication have a smaller size (~20 nm) as compared to the nanoparticles fabricated by magnetic stirring (~40 nm). The color change of the solution from milky white to brown suggested the formation of silver nanoparticles which was confirmed by the presence of an absorbance peak at 396 nm. The results of powder X-ray diffraction and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy confirmed the crystallinity and elements present in nanoparticles synthesized using fenugreek seed extract. Fourier transform infrared analysis showed that the fenugreek seed phytochemicals were coated on the nanoparticle surface. Thermal gravimetric analysis showed the thermal degradation and stability of nanoparticles. Magnetization study of iron oxide nanoparticles confirmed the superparamagnetic nature. The silver nanoparticles showed antibacterial activities against both gram-negative (Escherichia coli) and gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria, while no antibacterial activities were observed for iron oxide nanoparticles. The ultrasound assisted nanoparticles showed higher stability and antibacterial and antioxidant activity compared with the nanoparticles fabricated by magnetic stirring.

In Vitro Enzymatic Digestibility of Glutaraldehyde-Crosslinked Chitosan Nanoparticles in Lysozyme Solution and Their Applicability in Pulmonary Drug Delivery.

Herein, the degradation of low molecular weight chitosan (CS), with 92% degree of deacetylation (DD), and its nanoparticles (NP) has been investigated in 0.2 mg/mL lysozyme solution at 37 °C. The CS nanoparticles were prepared using glutaraldehyde crosslinking of chitosan in a water-in-oil emulsion system. The morphological characterization of CS particles was carried out using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) techniques. Using attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) and UV-VIS spectroscopy, the structural integrity of CS and its NPs in lysozyme solution were monitored. The CS powder showed characteristic FTIR bands around 1150 cm−1 associated with the glycosidic bridges (C-O-C bonds) before and after lysozyme treatment for 10 weeks, which indicated no CS degradation. The glutaraldehyde crosslinked CS NPs showed very weak bands associated with the glycosidic bonds in lysozyme solution. Interestingly, the UV-VIS spectroscopic data showed some degradation of CS NPs in lysozyme solution. The results of this study indicate that CS with a high DD and its NPs crosslinked with glutaraldehyde were not degradable in lysozyme solution and thus unsuitable for pulmonary drug delivery. Further studies are warranted to understand the complete degradation of CS and its NPs to ensure their application in pulmonary drug delivery.

Nanoparticle Analysis in Biomaterials Using Laser Ablation-Single Particle-Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry.

In the past decade, the development of single particle–inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SP-ICPMS) has revolutionized the field of nanometallomics. Besides differentiation between dissolved and particulate metal signals, SP-ICPMS can quantify the nanoparticle (NP) number concentration and size. Because SP-ICPMS is limited to characterization of NPs in solution, we show how solid sampling by laser ablation (LA) adds spatial-resolution characteristics for localized NP analysis in biomaterials. Using custom-made gelatin standards doped with dissolved gold and commercial or synthesized gold nanoparticles, LA-SP-ICPMS conditions such as laser fluence, beam size, and dwell time were optimized for NP analysis to minimize NP degradation, peak overlap, and interferences from dissolved gold. A data-processing algorithm to retrieve the NP number concentration and size was developed for this purpose. As a proof-of-concept, a sunflower-root-sample cross-section, originating from a sunflower plant exposed to gold NPs, was successfully imaged using the optimized LA-SP-ICPMS conditions for localized NP characterization.

A kinetic study on the degradation and biodegradability of silver nanoparticles catalyzed Methyl Orange and textile effluents

The present study includes the Azadirachta indica (neem) induced Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by green synthesis as reducing and capping agent. Synthesized AgNPs were characterized by different instrumental techniques such as XRD (X-ray Diffraction), SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy), TEM (Transmission Electron Microscopy), Zetasizer, UV-Visible and FT-IR (Fourier Transformation Infra-Red) spectroscopy. The result of XRD reveals that nanoparticles were crystalline in nature and pure, stability was determined by Zeta potential and SEM, TEM analysis indicates that AgNPs was monodisperse in a spherical shape with average size 9 nm. These synthesized AgNPs were applied as the catalyst in the degradation process of Methyl Orange (MO) and wastewater samples in presence of peroxodisulphate (PDS). Effect of different experimental conditions such as initial pH, concentration of PDS, Dye, and AgNPs was studied on the degradation process. The obtained kinetic result shows that AgNPs/PDS system induces 1.1 × 10−4 to 15.9 × 10−4 s-1 folds in presence of the small concentration of AgNPs (1 × 10−8 mol dm−3). The degradation of MO and real wastewater samples in AgNPs/PDS system is followed pseudo-first order kinetics and maximum degradation of MO reached 88% in 40 min and real wastewater samples in 80 min. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis and UV-Visible spectral changes were used to analyze the structure of intermediate and end products (CO2, H2O, NO3−, and O3S−) during the degradation process. Furthermore, the result of biodegradability index (greater than 0.3) implies that advanced oxidation process enhances the biodegradability of wastewater.

Study of phase transformations, structural, corrosion properties and cytotoxicity of magnetite-based nanoparticles

This paper presents the results of the structural, corrosion, magnetic properties and cytotoxicity of magnetite nanoparticles, phase transformations was studied by thermal annealing. It was established that thermal annealing of Fe3O4 nanoparticles led to three stages of phase transformations from magnetite to maghemite, with the subsequent formation of the hematite structure. Increasing annealing temperature lead to a change in the magnitudes of the hyperfine magnetic field, quadrupole displacement and isomeric shift that indicates a change in the crystal structure and annealing of defects, which eventually leads to the ordering of magnetic nanoparticles. Studying the degradation of nanoparticles in PBS solution shows us that a change in the crystal structure as a result of a decrease in the degree of perfection and the formation of amorphous inclusions leads to magnetic disordering and a subsequent change in the magnitude of the hyperfine magnetic field. Cytotoxicity results indicate that nanoparticles do not show cytotoxic activity against tested L929, PC-3 and HeLa cell lines, because in all experimental series metabolic activity of studies cells was not below 70% of control.

Biosynthesis of magnetic nanoparticles from nano-degradation products revealed in human stem cells

While magnetic nanoparticles offer exciting possibilities for stem cell imaging or tissue bioengineering, their long-term intracellular fate remains to be fully documented. Besides, it appears that magnetic nanoparticles can occur naturally in human cells, but their origin and potentially endogenous synthesis still need further understanding. In an effort to explore the life cycle of magnetic nanoparticles, we investigated their transformations upon internalization in mesenchymal stem cells and as a function of the cells' differentiation status (undifferentiated, or undergoing adipogenesis, osteogenesis, and chondrogenesis). Using magnetism as a fingerprint of the transformation process, we evidenced an important degradation of the nanoparticles during chondrogenesis. For the other pathways, stem cells were remarkably "remagnetized" after degradation of nanoparticles. This remagnetization phenomenon is the direct demonstration of a possible neosynthesis of magnetic nanoparticles in cellulo and could lay some foundation to understand the presence of magnetic crystals in human cells. The neosynthesis was shown to take place within the endosomes and to involve the H-subunit of ferritin. Moreover, it appeared to be the key process to avoid long-term cytotoxicity (impact on differentiation) related to high doses of magnetic nanoparticles within stem cells.

Thermal performance and surface analysis of steel-supported platinum nanoparticles designed for bio-oil catalytic upconversion during radio frequency-based inductive heating

A catalyst is designed for use in radio frequency (RF) induction-based biofuel upconversion. Stainless steel spheres are functionalized with Pt-nanoparticles through the use of a silane linker. These spheres are characterized via XRD, FTIR, SEM/EDX and XPS followed by generation of heating profiles in an RF induction heater. The high electric conductivity of the steel balls results in rapid heating which creates a positive temperature gradient across the surface with temperatures of the steel balls reaching 300 °C in under 20 s. Using a minimum of 3% power (150 W), temperatures over 525 °C are achieved within 150 s in a single steel ball experiment. A steel bed experiment is performed to simulate an induction-based catalytic upconversion of biomass pyrolysis vapors which indicates that temperatures over 195 °C are achieved in as little as 300 s using 5% power (250 W). Melting and degradation of the Pt nanoparticles is evident with repeated heating at temperatures of 525 °C and above, fortunately, typical catalysts designed for upconversion of pyrolysis oils are operating well below these temperatures. This form of heating has a potential to mitigate the effects of coke deposition on catalyst surface, which is a pressing issue during up-conversion of pyrolysis oil and various petrochemical processes.

Factors affecting electron beam damage in calcite nanoparticles

We report electron fluence thresholds for the degradation of calcite nanoparticles under electron irradiation by both conventional and scanning TEM (CTEM and STEM), using time resolved phase contrast imaging and EDX spectroscopy at both 80 kV and 300 kV accelerating voltages. We show that the degradation pathway of calcite involves disruption of the crystal lattice with the evolution of pores and transformation to calcium oxide and carbon dioxide. Depending on irradiation conditions (CTEM or STEM), the calcium oxide formed can be either amorphous or crystalline, with the formation of the latter apparently being hindered by hydrocarbon contamination build up in STEM. For a given electron flux, irradiation at 300 kV prolongs the characteristic lifetime of the calcite lattice as compared to irradiation at 80 kV but with a corresponding reduction in both image contrast and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) signal, consistent with the change in inelastic mean free path for electron scattering. STEM offers significant benefits over CTEM, however only in the presence of hydrocarbon contamination, increasing the fluence threshold for the detection of irradiation induced faults in the calcite lattice from 2.7 × 107 e− nm-2 for 300 kV CTEM to over 1.8 × 108 e− nm-2 for 300 kV STEM. This work forms a framework for reliable identification of discrete particle crystallinity in nominally amorphous, nanoscale calcium carbonate particles which is of importance for fundamental studies of crystallisation and also for the process control during the synthesis of such surfactant stabilised nanoparticles for application as over-based fuel detergents.

Targeting microplastic particles in the void of diluted suspensions

Accumulation of microplastic in the environment and food chain will be a grand challenge for our society. Polyurethanes are widely used synthetic polymers in medical (e.g. catheters) and industrial products (especially as foams). Polyurethane is not abundant in nature and only a few microbial strains (fungi and bacteria) and enzymes (polyurethaneases and cutinases) have been reported to efficiently degrade polyurethane. Notably, in nature a long period of time (from 50 to >100 years depending on the literature) is required for degradation of plastics. Material binding peptides (e.g. anchor peptides) bind strongly to polymers such as polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and polyurethane and can target specifically polymers. In this study we report the fusion of the anchor peptide Tachystatin A2 to the bacterial cutinase Tcur1278 which accelerated the degradation of polyester-polyurethane nanoparticles by a factor of 6.6 in comparison to wild-type Tcur1278. Additionally, degradation half-lives of polyester-polyurethane nanoparticles were reduced from 41.8 h to 6.2 h (6.7-fold) in a diluted polyester-polyurethane suspension (0.04% w/v).

Electrospray Encapsulation of Antithrombotic Drug into Poly (L-lactic acid) Nanoparticles for Cardiovascular Applications

Abstract Nowadays, the most common revascularization procedure to combat coronary artery disease is through Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) with the use of arterial stents. Two of the most recurrent drawbacks of stenting are restenosis and late stent thrombosis. To render the stent effective, a long-term antiplatelet drug delivery system have to be incorporated into a biodegradable polymer to target directly the malevolent site. A novel drug delivery nanosystem of Poly(D, L-lactic acid) (PLA) nanoparticles (NPs) loaded with Dipyridamole (DPM) was fabricated via electrospraying that forms monodispersed, biodegradable drug loaded NPs, as coating for cardiovascular stents. This study presents a feasible degradable NP delivery system that encapsulates, protects and controls the release of DPM, intended to reduce the possibility of thrombosis inside the stent.

Light-responsive nanoparticles based on new polycarbonate polymers as innovative drug delivery systems for photosensitizers in PDT

Nanoparticles based on biodegradable polymers are well-known as approved carrier systems for a diversity of drugs. Despite their advantages, such as the option of an active drug targeting or the physicochemical protection of instable payloads, the controlled drug release often underlies intra- and interindividual influences and is therefore difficult to predict. To circumvent this limitation, the release behavior can be optimized using light-responsive materials for the nanoparticle preparation. The resulting light-responsive nanoparticles are able to release the embedded drug after an external light-stimulus, thereby increasing efficacy and safety of the therapy.In the present study light-responsive self-immolative polymers were used for the nanoparticle manufacturing. Light-responsive polycarbonates (LrPC) as well as PEGylated LrPC (LrPC-PEG) were synthesized via ring-opening polymerization of trimethylene carbonate-based monomers and fully physico-chemically characterized. Light-responsive nano formulations were obtained by blending LrPC or (LrPC-PEG) with the FDA-approved polymer poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA). The nanoparticles were loaded with the photosensitizer 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(m-hydroxyphenyl)chlorin (mTHPC). The light-induced nanoparticle degradation was analyzed as well as the drug release behavior with and without illumination. Furthermore, biological safety of the degradation products was investigated in an in vitro cell culture study.

On-line microfluidic immobilized-enzyme reactors: A new tool for characterizing synthetic polymers

Biodegradable polymeric materials may eventually replace biostable materials for medical applications, including therapeutic devices, scaffolds for tissue engineering, and drug-delivery vehicles. To further develop such materials, a more fundamental understanding is necessary to correlate parameters including chemical-composition distribution within a macromolecular structure with the final properties of the material, including particle-size. A wide variety of analytical techniques have been applied for the characterization of polymer materials, including hyphenated techniques such as comprehensive two-dimensional liquid chromatography (LC × LC). In this context, we have investigated enzymatic degradation of polyester-based nanoparticles, both in-solution and by the use of an immobilized-enzyme reactor (IMER). We have demonstrated for the first time the implementation of such an IMER in a size-exclusion chromatography system for on-line degradation and subsequent analysis of the polymer degradation products. The effect of residence times ranging from 12 s to 4 min on polymer degradation was assessed. IMER-assisted degradation is much faster compared to in-solution degradation, which requires several hours to days, and opens the possibility to use such reactors in LC × LC modulation interfaces.