In this work, the physicochemical properties of nanostructured systems based on starch were investigated, particularly relating the structural and surface characteristics of these systems with their functional behavior in terms of colloidal stability, drug loading ability, and controlled release in various pH media. The methodology is a descriptive-analytical with a low-cost driven from experimental applied research developed in three phases. These steps involved the synthesis of the nanoformulation by varying a single design parameter, its quantitative characterization, and then the assessment of its functional capability by means of drug release studies. During the second phase The physicochemical profiles of the nanoformulations were characterized by distinct differences in hydrodynamic diameter, polydispersity index, and stability over time. The mean particle size varied from approximately 142 to 212 nm just after fabrication, and in some unstable samples it increased up to more than 300 nm after seven days. In contrast to that, the most stable formulations had particle size less than 190 nm and PI less than 0.25. The encapsulation efficiency results also varied quantitatively between the formulations from approximately 55 to 71%, and a positive correlation between the extent of colloidal stability and the encapsulation and loading efficiencies was observed. Stage 3: Results of the Controlled Release Test Results showed a marked difference in the pattern and rate of release from the physiological medium (pH 7.4) and the acidic medium (pH 5.5). The cumulative release after 24 h was around 69% in the physiological medium and about 86% in the acidic medium, suggesting a significant responsiveness to the surrounding environment. Release kinetics analysis revealed that the data followed better the Higuchi model, with goodness-of fit R² > 0.96 in both media. This implies that the release process may be largely pH dependent and diffusion controlled.                                                      

Our study supports the notion that physicochemical characterisation is the basis for both the design and the assessment of nanoformulations, and that by changing these properties in a rational way it is possible to modulate the functional behaviour of the nanosystem without having recourse to complex and/or expensive targeting strategies. The contribution of this study, in comparison with other studies, is that it provides a cohesive and realistically implementable framework for conducting research in low-resource settings. This framework provides a concrete linkage between nanodesign and statistical analysis as applied to quantification, and helps to bridge the gap between highly deconstructed laboratory studies and the demands of organized pharmaceutical development.