title: Synthesis and in vitro characterization of poly(ethylene glycol)-albumin hydrogel microparticles.
abstract: High water content hydrogel microparticles based on the cross-linking of albumin with activated poly(ethylene glycol) were synthesized. The influence of different synthesis parameters on the physicochemical characteristics of the microparticles, such as the type of oil and of albumin, and the molecular weight of PEG, was evaluated. The water content of the microparticles ranged from 95 to 98%, increasing with an increase of the molecular weight of PEG. At optimal conditions, microparticles with sizes ranging from 3 to 50 μm were prepared. These microparticles showed a negatively charged surface. They were freely dispersed in PBS buffer and they were stable at 4°C for times varying from 0.5 to 10 months. Initial stirring speed and molecular weight of PEG were the 2 main factors that significantly affected microparticle size. High hydrophilicity, good stability and modulable size make this hydrogel an attractive matrix for protein or cell immobilization for biomedical applications.
authors.affiliation: a Laboratoire d'Enzymologie Appliquee, Departement de Chimie-Biochimie , Universite du Quebec a Montreal , C.P. 8888, succ. Centre-Ville , Montreal , QC , H3C 3P8 , Canada.
authors.forename: Ping
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jean-Francois
authors.forename: Guy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fortier
mesh_terms: D000418:Albumins / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry*; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D008422:Materials Testing; D008970:Molecular Weight; D009821:Oils / Q000737:chemistry; D010316:Particle Size; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D051381:Rats; D014783:Viscosity; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000418:Albumins; D020100:Hydrogels; D009821:Oils; D014867:Water; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols