Albumin ? based γ irradiated nanoparticle with potential for drug delivery systems: Characterisation, Stability and Binding efficiency

SIRI MACARENA; GRASSELLI MARIANO; ALONSO SILVIA DEL V.

Edimburgo

Congreso; 19th IUPAB congress and 11th EBSA congress; 2017

IUPAB

A bovine serum albumin-based nanoparticle (BSA NP) was achieved by γ-irradiation of a protein ethanol solution. In this study a biophysical characterisation of the nanoparticle is presented. Confirmation of the NP as an entity was stated by D.L.S and microscopic techniques (T.E.M, S.E.M. and A.F.M.). Preservation of the main structural features (α ? helix content and main binding pocket) was displayed mainly through spectroscopic experiments: UV-vis, FT-IR, Fluorescence, and C.D. The NP was studied against pH, ionic strength, time stability, alongside solutions of different chaotropic agents. The data collected helped to overcome issues that the NP might present in order to enhance its chances to place itself as a nanovehicle in the field of medicine, e.g. lyophilisation was tested as a means to improve the NP stability against time.Lastly, its functionality as a drug delivery system was tested against two drugs: a hydrophobic one (emodin) and an amphiphilic one (merocyanine 540). Fluorescence spectroscopy was used to elucidate the main binding parameters such as affinity constant. Moreover, the binding capacity efficiency and kinetic release profile were studied.The BSA NP presented encouraging results to be considered as a nanovehicle for drug delivery systems. It does not only present all the albumin?s main features as a drug carrier, but it improved the affinity for the hydrophobic drug together with the kinetic drug release profile.