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The albumin-based nanoparticle formation in relation to protein aggregation
Seyyed Abolghasem Ghadami1, Zahra Ahmadi1, Zahra Moosavi-Nejad1
1Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran.
Spectrochimica Acta. Part A, Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy
|February 1, 2021
Summary
Controlling bovine serum albumin (BSA) nanoparticle size is achievable by adjusting temperature and pH to manage aggregation rates. Optimal conditions for BSA nanoparticle formation were identified as pH 5.7 and 70°C.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Protein Chemistry
Background:
- Albumin nanoparticles offer therapeutic potential due to their biocompatibility.
- Current methods for albumin nanoparticle formation, like desolvation and coacervation, present challenges in size control.
- Nanoparticle morphology (size and shape) is crucial for their efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of pH and temperature on bovine serum albumin (BSA) aggregation for nanoparticle size control.
- To identify optimal conditions for forming BSA-based nanoparticles with controlled morphology.
- To explore the structural outcomes of BSA aggregation under varying environmental conditions.
Main Methods:
- BSA aggregation was induced and monitored across a temperature range of 50-80°C and pH range of 4.7-6.2.
- Techniques used included UV-Vis spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and dye-binding assays.
- Aggregation kinetics and structural characteristics (amorphous vs. amyloid fibril) were analyzed.
Main Results:
- BSA nanoparticle/microparticle size could be controlled by manipulating temperature and pH, thereby regulating aggregation rates.
- Protein aggregation under extreme pH/temperature or near the isoelectric point (pI) resulted in amorphous structures.
- At pH values above the pI, BSA aggregation favored amyloid fibril formation.
- Nanoparticle structures were identifiable during the initial phase of aggregation under specific conditions.
- Optimal conditions for BSA nanoparticle formation were determined to be pH 5.7 and 70°C.
Conclusions:
- Varying temperature and pH offers a viable strategy for controlling the size and morphology of BSA-based nanoparticles.
- The study identified specific pH and temperature conditions conducive to forming BSA nanoparticles, with pH 5.7 and 70°C being optimal.
- Further research is needed for a comprehensive understanding of the observed aggregation phenomena.
