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 α-hydroxy acid. The microspheres, films and coatings so produced have improved stability in aqueous solution.
Claims38
A process for stabilizing a protein microsphere made from at least one protein, wherein said at least one protein comprises albumen, gelatin, collagen, zein, casein and/or fibrinogen, which comprises preparing said protein microsphere in the presence of an aqueous solution of at least one α-hydroxy acid or derivative thereof, wherein the derivative is selected from the group consisting of a polyethylene glycol conjugate and a polylactide conjugate.
A process for stabilizing a protein microsphere made from at least one protein, wherein said at least one protein comprises albumen, gelatin, collagen, zein, casein, and/or fibrinogen which comprises the steps of:
- (a) cooling to approximately 4° C. an aqueous solution of said protein,
- (b) mixing the cooled solution prepared in step (a) with an aqueous solution of said α-hydroxy acid or derivative thereof, wherein the derivative is selected from the group consisting of a polyethylene glycol conjugate and a polylactide conjugate,
- (c) spreading the solution prepared in step (b) as a thin layer over a solid surface, and
- (d) drying said thin layer to form a film.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.