Synthesis and characterization of thiolated alginate-albumin nanoparticles stabilized by disulfide bonds. Evaluation as drug delivery systems

Nanoparticles based on thiolated alginate (ALG-CYS) and disulfide bond reduced albumin (BSA-SH) have been synthesized by coacervation method and stabilized by disulfide bond formation. In order to optimize the synthesis, the influence of amount and proportion of reactants on nanoparticle characteristics has been studied. Results showed cubic shaped nanoparticles but with a certain spherical tendency. The size range was 42–388 nm; as the percentage of ALG-CYS increased in the particle, their morphology is less spherical and the size is larger. The presence of both reactants in the nanoparticles was determined by FT-IR and confirmed by TGA. The ratio BSA-SH/ALG-CYS (0.49/1–1.23/1) in the particles was quantified by colorimetric methods. Nanoparticles were assayed as drug delivery systems by loading them with tamoxifen (TMX) (2–4 μg TMX/mg NP). Maximum TMX release (23–61% of loaded TMX) took place between 7 and 75 h, and the amount of released TMX can be modulated with the percentage of ALG-CYS in the particle.