Preparation of protein microspheres, films and coatings
AssigneeChiron Corporation
InventorsAllan G. A. Coombes, Wu Lin, Derek T. O'Hagen, Stanley S. Davis
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims18
A process for stabilizing a microsphere made from at least one protein or modified protein which comprises preparing said protein microsphere in the presence of an aqueous solution of at least one .alpha.-hydroxy acid or a polyethylene glyol derivative thereof, wherein said .alpha.-hydroxy acid is glycolic acid, lactic acid, .alpha.-hydroxybutyric acid or a mixture of two or more thereof;
- and further wherein the process comprises the steps of:
- (a) mixing an aqueous solution of at least one protein or modified protein with an aqueous solution of at least one .alpha.-hydroxy acid,
- (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.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.