The Dependence of Proteins' Distribution within Polyelectrolyte Microcapsules on pH of the Medium

The distribution of bovine serum albumin and ferritin within polyelectrolyte microcapsules was studied by transmission electron and confocal microscopy at the pH range 2-5. It was estimated that the protein's distribution depends on the isoelectric point (pI) and first polyelectrolyte used for the preparation of the capsule shell. The peptide is placed in the bulk of capsule if the pH values of the medium are close to the isoelectric point of the protein and polycation was used as a first polyelectrolyte layer. If the first polyelectrolyte was polyanion, the protein is located near the internal surface of the shell. The protein is situated near the internal surface of the shell for both polyelectrolytes when pH is equal to pI.