Investigation and modeling effective parameters influencing the size of BSA protein nanoparticles as colloidal carrier

Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) nanoparticles (NPs) with different sizes were prepared using a self-assembly simple coacervation method and cross-linking with glutaraldehyde. Protein NPs were purified with 48,800 x g centrifuge followed by dialysis, microfiltration and ultrafiltration. The produced protein NPs were subjected to physical and morphological as well as biochemical characterization tests. Image analysis studies by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy proved semi-spherically shape of the particles whereas size distribution was measured by photon correlation spectroscopy. The influences of several process parameters such as pH, initial BSA concentration, agitation speed, glutaraldehyde concentration and organic solvent addition rate on the size of protein NPs at different temperature (24 degrees C, 14 degrees C, 4 degrees C) were investigated to achieve a suitable size of NP. Furthermore, mathematical method was implemented to model the experimental data. The mechanistic for preparing protein NPs as well as their characterizations were discussed. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.