Biotinylated chitosan-based SPIONs with potential in blood-contacting applications

Haemocompatible biotinylated superparamagnetic nanoparticles (size range 300-700 nm) have been obtained by coating magnetite through ionic gelation with a mixture of chitosan and sodium tripolyphosphate, followed by subsequent functionalisation with biotin. The evaluations of their magnetic properties together with haemocompatibility tests have shown that these nanoparticles exhibit the prerequisite behaviour for use in magnetic field-assisted separations within biological systems.