Abstract
This work is consisted of two parts. The first was the synthesis and characterization of nanoparticles (ChNPs)
from Chitosan, a natural biopolymer. In the second part, preparation of Vitamin C loaded ChNPs and release
of vitamin C from the loaded nanoparticles were investigated. ChNPs were synthesized according to the ionic
gelation method and sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) was used as the crosslinking agent. The particle size
distribution of the synthesized ChNPs was determined by using Zeta Sizer. Surface morphologies and crystal
structures of the nanoparticles were investigated by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X- ray diffraction
(XRD) analysis, respectively. Structural analysis and thermal properties of ChNPs were also investigated by
Fournier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), respectively. Release
porofile of the Vitamin C loaded nanoparticles at same time were determined. As a result, average particle size
of the ChNPs was measured as 10 nm and loading efficiency of the ChNPs was calculated as 86% with very high
vitamin C concentration. Finally, the release mechanism of vitamin C from nanoparticles was determined to be
controlled by diffusion and swelling