Intermittent desolvation method to prepare size-controlled BSA nanoparticle

摘要

The development of standard method for nanoparticle preparation using food-grade materials is helpful for various nanotechnology-related applications for food product. In this study, bovine serum albumin (BSA) nanoparticles were prepared using a desolvation method. The size of BSA nanoparticels was controlled by adjusting pH and NaCl content as well as controlling rate of ethanol addition, a desolvating agent. At a basic condition such as pH 9, coagulation of the BSA molecules reduced. On the other hand, pH 7, coagulation of the BSA molecules increased; as a result, larger BSA nanoparticles were achieved. The size of the BSA nanoparticels increased as NaCl content increased. In order to control the particle size and improve reproducibility, the rate of ethanol addition was controlled. To induce a controlled aggregation between BSA molecules in the aqueous system was added intermittently under stirring until an opalescent solution was obtained. Size of the BSA nanoparticles prepared was close to the target size: 100, 300 and 500 nm. In addition, BSA nanoparticles formed with narrow size distribution compared to those prepared by a conventional continuous method. The size-controlled BSA nanoparticles can be standard materials made from food ingredients to investigate benefits and risks of nanofods.