Preparation of protein microspheres, films and coatings
AssigneesChiron Corporation, The University of Nottingham
InventorsALLAN G. A. COOMBES, WU LIN, DEREK T. O'HAGEN, STANLEY S. DAVIS
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Abstract
A process is described for preparing microspheres, films and coatings from protein or modified protein in which the protein product is stabilized by carrying out the preparation in the presence of an aqueous solution of at least one alpha-hydroxy acid. Preferred alpha-hydroxy acids are glycolic acid, lactic acid, alpha-hydroxybutyric acid or a mixture of two or more thereof. The microspheres, films and coatings so produced have improved stability in aqueous solution.
Claims33
A process for stabilizing a microsphere, film or coating made from at least one protein or modified protein which comprises preparing said protein microsphere, film or coating in the presence of an aqueous solution of at least one α-hydroxy acid or a derivative or analogue thereof.
A process as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said protein is albumen, gelatin, collagen, zein, casein or fibrinogen.
A process as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said protein is modified by having another organic polymer attached thereto.
A process as claimed in any preceding claim which comprises the particular steps of:
- (a) mixing an aqueous solution of at least one protein or modified protein with an aqueous solution of at least one α-hydroxy acid or analogue or derivative thereof,
- (b) adding to the mixture prepared in step (a) a coacervation agent which results in the formation of microspheres incorporating said protein or modified protein,
- (c) evaporating said coacervation agent and
- (d) recovering the microspheres from the aqueous solution.
A process for coating an article with a protein or modified protein layer which comprises dipping said article or a portion thereof into an aqueous solution comprising said protein or modified protein and an α-hydroxy acid or analogue or derivative thereof.
A process for treating an article coated with a protein or modified protein which comprises dipping said article or a portion thereof into an aqueous solution comprising an α-hydroxy acid or analogue or derivative thereof.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.