PLA Microspheres

PLA microspheres are micro-sized particles made from biobased, biodegradable polylactic acid polymer. PLA is derived from renewable resources such as corn starch or sugarcane. Therefore, PLA microspheres offer a wide range of applications in scientific research, diagnostics, and drug delivery systems due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and ease of functionalization.

Our Products

Alfa Chemistry provides a diverse range of PLA microspheres tailored for various research and application needs. Our PLA microspheres come in different sizes, functional groups, and concentrations, making them suitable for a wide range of uses. Available particle sizes range from nano to micron scale, with diameters from 80 nm to 100 μm. Additionally, our microspheres can be customized with functional groups such as amino, carboxyl, thiol, hydroxyl, streptavidin, biotin, and more, enabling highly specific interactions for diverse applications.

Product Name: PLA Microspheres

Catalog: BBC-PLA300

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Please note that this product is for scientific research purposes only and is not for other uses.

Product Details

Items	Details
Particle Sizes	Available in Nano: 80 nm, 100 nm, 200 nm, 300 nm, 400 nm, 500 nm, 600 nm, 700 nm, 800 nm, 900 nm; Available in Micro: 1 μm, 2 μm, 3 μm, 4 μm, 5 μm, 10 μm, 15 μm, 20 μm, 30 μm, 40 μm, 50 μm, 100 μm.
Functional Groups	Bare spheres, Amino, Carboxyl, Thiol, Hydroxyl, Streptavidin, Biotin, etc.
Concentrations	1%, 2.5%, 5%, and custom concentrations available.
Particle Uniformity	<3.0%

Key Features

Biodegradable, eco-friendly, and derived from renewable resources.
Highly customizable, with various functional groups available to meet specific research needs.
Available in a wide range of sizes, from nanometers to microns.
High quality and consistency in each batch.

Applications

Drug Delivery Systems: They are widely used in controlled drug release systems. Their biodegradable nature makes them ideal for delivering drugs in a sustained manner, reducing the need for frequent dosing.
Tissue Engineering: They possess good biocompatibility and biodegradability, making them suitable as carriers for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. They can combine with bioactive substances or cells to promote the repair and regeneration of tissues, such as bone, cartilage, and skin.
Diagnostic Imaging: They can be functionalized with various ligands or targeting molecules, making them suitable for use in diagnostic imaging applications, such as MRI or ultrasound contrast agents.
Gene Delivery: Functionalized PLA microspheres serve as effective carriers for gene therapy, aiding in the delivery of nucleic acids such as DNA or RNA to target cells.
Protein and Antibody Conjugation: With the ability to incorporate specific functional groups, these microspheres are useful in protein and antibody immobilization, supporting applications in immunoassays and biosensors.

Storage and Packaging

Store in sealed containers at room temperature or 4°C. Do not freeze.
Available in 10ml, 100ml, 1000ml bottles, and custom packaging available.

Case Study

PLA Microsphere-Based Hydrogel Complex for Sustained Release of Magnesium Ions to Promote Osteogenesis and Angiogenesis

Li, Li, et al. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 283 (2024): 137649.

This case study explores the application of polylactic acid (PLA) microspheres in a magnesium-containing microsphere-hydrogel complex designed for sustained release in bone tissue engineering. Magnesium ions (Mg²⁺) play a vital role in osteogenesis and angiogenesis, but the initial burst release of Mg²⁺ can negatively impact the osteogenic effect. To address this, PLA microspheres loaded with magnesium oxide (MgO) and magnesium carbonate (MgCO₃) were fabricated to control the release of Mg²⁺ over an extended period.
The study demonstrated that the CS/PLA@MgO-MgCO₃ microsphere-hydrogel complex exhibited effective, sustained release of Mg²⁺ for over 28 days. This dual-release system, composed of PLA microspheres and a chitosan-based hydrogel, successfully modulated the release rate and dose of Mg²⁺, providing controlled and consistent release over time. In vitro tests showed enhanced osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells and increased migration, along with the promotion of blood vessel formation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).
The PLA microsphere-hydrogel complex not only extended the release cycle of Mg²⁺ but also enhanced vascularized osteogenesis, making it a promising material for bone defect treatments. This approach demonstrates the potential of PLA microspheres in combination with chitosan-based hydrogels for controlled drug release applications in regenerative medicine, particularly for bone tissue engineering.

PLA Microspheres for Anticancer Drug Delivery: Synthesis and Characterization of Gefitinib-PEG-GQD Loaded Microspheres

Gautam, A., & Pal, K. (2022). Gefitinib conjugated PEG passivated graphene quantum dots incorporated PLA microspheres for targeted anticancer drug delivery. Heliyon, 8(12).

This case study explores the application of polylactic acid (PLA) microspheres for the controlled delivery of anticancer drugs, specifically gefitinib, via a novel polyethylene glycol passivated graphene quantum dots (PEG-GQD) system. The synthesis involved incorporating gefitinib-conjugated PEG-GQDs into PLA microspheres, achieved by a solvent evaporation and single emulsification method. Polyvinyl acetate (PVA) was used as a surfactant to stabilize the emulsion during the process.
Characterization techniques, including Field-Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD), confirmed the successful synthesis of the drug-loaded microspheres. FE-SEM revealed the morphology of the microspheres, while FTIR provided insight into the functional groups present, and XRD analyzed the crystallinity of the samples.
The drug release characteristics were evaluated using UV-Vis spectrophotometry, showing sustained release of gefitinib from the PLA microspheres. Importantly, in vitro cytotoxicity assays demonstrated minimal toxicity in the NCI–H522 lung cancer cell line, indicating the biocompatibility of the system.
This PLA microsphere-based drug delivery system provides a promising approach for enhancing the bioavailability and controlled release of anticancer drugs, showing potential for future cancer therapies with reduced side effects.

PLA Microspheres for Oral Vaccine Delivery: A Potential Approach for Largemouth Bass Ranavirus (LMBV) Prevention

Liu, Qian, et al. Fish & Shellfish Immunology 153 (2024): 109870.

This case study explores the use of polylactic acid (PLA) microspheres in developing an oral vaccine for Largemouth bass ranavirus (LMBV), a significant pathogen in the largemouth bass industry. The study identifies MCP2α as a key epitope region for LMBV immunization and constructs a recombinant Lactobacillus casei expressing the fusion protein MCP2αC (MCP2α as antigen and flagellin C as an adjuvant). PLA microspheres were used to encapsulate the recombinant L. casei, creating a stable vaccine formulation.
Scanning electron microscopy confirmed that the PLA microspheres had a smooth, spherical surface with a particle size between 100 and 200 μm. The vaccine's stability in simulated gastric and intestinal fluids was also assessed, demonstrating its ability to withstand the gastrointestinal environment. Oral immunization with PLA-MCP2αC significantly improved the immune response, as evidenced by increased serum enzyme activity (T-SOD, T-AOC, LZM, complement C3) and upregulated mRNA expression of immune genes (IL-1β, TNF-α, IFN-γ, IgM) in spleen and head kidney tissues.
The survival rate of vaccinated largemouth bass increased from 24% to 68%, and the vaccine also reduced viral load and tissue damage in internal organs. These findings suggest that PLA microsphere-based vaccines could be a promising strategy for preventing viral infections in aquaculture.