An Overview of Coacervates: The Special Disperse State of Amphiphilic and Polymeric Materials in Solution

Abstract

Individual amphiphiles, polymers, and colloidal dispersions influenced by temperature, pH, and environmental conditions or interactions between their oppositely charged pairs in solvent medium often produce solvent-rich and solvent-poor phases in the system. The solvent-poor denser phase found either on the top or the bottom of the system is called coacervate. Coacervates have immense applications in various technological fields. This review comprises a concise introduction, focusing on the types of coacervates, and the influence of different factors in their formation, structures, and stability. In addition, their physicochemical properties, thermodynamics of formation, and uses and multifarious applications are also concisely presented and discussed.

Theory of self-coacervation in semi-dilute and concentrated zwitterionic polymer solutions

“…3 Current applications of coacervates include wastewater treatment, protein purification, food processing, drug delivery, cosmetics formulation and synthesis of nanoparticles. 4 In the food industry, coacervates have been used to create encapsulated flavors, fragrances, and nutrients that are released in a controlled manner during consumption. 5 They can also be used as a natural preservative, preventing spoilage and increasing the shelf-life of products.…”

Therapeutic Potential of Controlled Delivery Systems in Asthma: Preclinical Development of Flavonoid-Based Treatments

“…The present review highlights that there are few studies developing pharmaceutical forms for controlled release systems using flavonoids as active molecules for asthma treatment [ 140 , 141 , 142 , 143 , 144 , 145 , 146 , 147 ]. Not all flavonoids that are bioactive in asthma were investigated in terms of pharmaceutical development, which left open opportunities [ 102 , 112 , 117 , 118 , 120 , 153 , 165 ].…”

“…In the emulsification-solvent evaporation method, the polymer and the active compound are dissolved in a volatile organic solvent, after which water and a stabilizer are added to the oil phase to form an o/w emulsion; afterward, the solvent is evaporated [ 139 ] and the micro/nanoparticles are obtained. The coacervation method is based on the precipitation of colloids (polymer with drug) formed by a change in pH, temperature, or the addition of a non-solvent as salt; it could be simple, using one type of polymer, or complex, using two or more polymers with charged polyelectrolytes [ 140 ]. The nanoprecipitation method (solvent displacement) consists of dissolving the polymer with the drug in an intermediate polarity solvent and then adding water while stirring.…”

Peptide Hydrogels and Nanostructures Controlling Biological Machinery

“…Tailored features and characteristics allow for a more advanced approach to various biomedical, regenerative, and tissue engineering approaches. 42 Temperature, pH levels, ionic strength, chemical stimuli, mechanical stimuli, and light are some of the stimuli that could influence the hydrogel and its effectiveness. 43 These design considerations are summarized in Figure 2.…”