Surface Modification of Albumin Microspheres

Abstract

Submicron sized hydrophobic and hydrophilic albumin microspheres (MS) were prepared using a chemical crosslinking technique. Spermine was linked to the surface of the hydrophilic MS. The degree of hydrophobicity for these three types of MS was investigated using a novel technique of sedimentation volume. The surface tension of the hydrophobic MS was 31 mN m^-1. The ST of the hydrophilic MS was 68 mN m^-1, whereas the surface tension of spermine-linked MS corresponded to 62, 65.5, 69 and 71 mN m^-1 indicating heterogeneous hydrophilic characteristics. Ligands can be successfully linked to MS using a water-soluble carbodiimide.

KEY WORDS::

• Albumin microspheres
• surface tension
• hydrophobic
• hydrophilic
• spermine