Solvent evaporation and spray drying technique for micro- and nanospheres/particles preparation: A review

This article presents a comprehensive review of research relating to the preparation of biodegradable and biocompatible controlled/sustained release of micro and nanoparticles. It covers recent developments in the area of technology through solvent evaporation followed by lyophilization and spray drying. The last decade seen a shift from empirical formulation efforts to a technological approach based on better understanding of micro and nanoparticle formation in the solvent evaporation and spray drying technique. This review provides concepts and a theoretical framework for the preparation of micro and nanoparticle formation. Encapsulation of pharmaceutical materials has received much attention due to enhanced effectiveness, bioavailability, and the dissolution rates that can be achieved. Polymeric micro and nanoparticles can be used to transport drug in a rate-controlled and sometimes targeted manner. Initially, laboratory-scale experiments are performed, but for industrial scale-up, experiments are required using sophisticated technologies. The objective of this review article is to summarize the solvent evaporation and spray drying techniques for the preparation of biodegradable and biocompatible controlled/sustained release of micro and nanospheres/particles with focus on the steps involved in its preparation, materials used, and the technique of microencapsulation. The review also summarizes recent research on solvent evaporation and spray drying.