Abstract
The purpose of the thesis was to prepare fluorescent micro particles by spray drying technique for the purpose of imaging in lungs. The four formulations were prepared using two polymers, hydroxy propyl cellulose and chitosan and two fluorescent dyes, Rhodamine B and Evans blue. The four formulations were prepared by spray drying polymer and dye solutions. Physicochemical characterization of the resulting powders was carried out and included particle yield, encapsulation efficiency, moisture content, particle size and fluorescent dye dissolution. Physico-chemical characterization studies like particle yield, encapsulation efficiency, moisture content and particle size showed that the particle were suitable for aerosolization into the lungs. However the dissolution study showed that showed that the powders showed an immediate release of the dyes that is within a period of 10-15 minutes and the two polymers fail to show a controlled release of the dyes that is typically reported to be over a period of several hours in the literature. Hence only a part of the objective was met that is to produce powders suitable for inhalation and the latter part of the objective was not met.