Stabilization of starch-based microgel-lysozyme complexes using a layer-by-layer assembly technique

The layer-by-layer assembly of polyelectrolyte multilayers of chitosan (CS) and carboxymethyl starch (CMS) on soft and porous pH- and ionic strength-response microgels was determined by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and zeta potential measurements. In vitro release of lysozyme from the stabilized microgels under simulated gastric and intestinal fluids was also investigated. The distribution of CS in the microgels was identified by CLSM, and the optimal molecular weight of CS was 100 kDa, which could only be absorbed on the microgel surface. The CS was used as the first layer, while the CMS was used as the second layer, and the zeta potential revealed that the optimal weight ratios of CS and CMS to microgels in the complexes were 0.1 and 0.06, respectively. The in vitro release experiments suggested that the stabilized double-layer microgel complexes could potentially be applied as a carrier system to prevent early release in the stomach to target intestinal delivery.