Coating alginate microspheres with a serum albumin-alginate membrane: application to the encapsulation of a peptide

Calcium alginate gel microspheres coated with a human serum albumin (HSA)-alginate membrane were prepared adapting a transacylation method previously applied to large beads. The procedure involved emulsification of an aqueous solution of sodium alginate and propylene glycol alginate (PGA) in an oily phase, followed by addition of CaCl2. The resulting gel microspheres were transferred in an aqueous solution of HSA. The addition of 0.5 M NaOH started the reaction between PGA and HSA, producing amide bonds and forming a membrane around the particles. An optimization study was conducted, notably exploring the addition of HSA to the internal phase. The microcapsules were studied with respect to morphology (optical and scanning electron microscopy) and size (laser granulometry), in comparison with uncoated gel microspheres. Biocompatibility was checked in osteoblast cultures. Lysine-arginine-phenylalanine-lysine (KRFK) was encapsulated and the release kinetics was studied in vitro. The method provided stable microspheres (size around 60 μm), with a membrane surviving a treatment with citrate and resisting lyophilization. The microcapsules were shown biocompatible. The release of KRFK was slower (release time > 8 days) than that of uncoated microspheres. These microcapsules might be useful as peptide containers to be combined with prosthetic materials for improving osteointegration.