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Targeted Plasma Membrane Delivery of a Hydrophobic Cargo Encapsulated in a Liquid Crystal Nanoparticle Carrier
Published on: February 8, 2017
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Nanoparticle-loaded microcapsules providing effective UV protection for Cry1Ac.
Yongjing Zhang1, Aijing Zhang1, Mengyuan Li1
1School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China.
Journal of Microencapsulation
|October 7, 2021
Summary
Novel microcapsules using chitosan and alginate with nanoparticles (nano-ZnO, nano-SiO2, nano-TiO2) enhance UV resistance for Cry1Ac. These protective coatings offer significant improvements in Cry1Ac stability under UV irradiation.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biotechnology
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Cry1Ac protein is susceptible to UV degradation, limiting its efficacy.
- Chitosan (Cs) and Alginate (Alg) are biocompatible polymers suitable for microencapsulation.
- Nanoparticles offer potential UV-blocking properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop novel microcapsules using Cs and Alg with nano-ZnO, nano-SiO2, and nano-TiO2.
- To enhance the UV resistance of Cry1Ac using these nanoparticle-loaded microcapsules.
Main Methods:
- Microcapsules were synthesized via layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly and electrostatic adsorption.
- Morphological analysis was performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
- UV stability was assessed using SDS-PAGE and bioassays.
Main Results:
- SEM confirmed successful adsorption of nano-ZnO and nano-TiO2 onto Alg-coated microcapsules, and nano-SiO2 onto Cs-coated microcapsules.
- Nano-ZnO and nano-SiO2 provided effective UV protection for Cry1Ac after 8 hours of irradiation (p > 0.05).
- Nano-TiO2 offered effective UV protection for Cry1Ac after 4 hours of irradiation (p > 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Microcapsules incorporating nanoparticles effectively shield Cry1Ac from UV damage.
- The developed microcapsules demonstrate excellent UV resistance, improving Cry1Ac stability.

