title: Single-step formation of degradable intracellular biomolecule microreactors.
abstract: Here we present a single-step all-aqueous approach to encapsulate biomolecules such as enzymes and proteins into stable microreactors. Key in this method is the use of spray-drying of the biomolecules of interest in combination with oppositely charged polyelectrolytes and mannitol as the sacrificial template. Remarkably, upon spray-drying in the presence of polyelectrolyte, mannitol crystallization is suppressed and the obtained amorphous mannitol offers enhanced preservation of the biomolecules' activity. Moreover, the use of mannitol allows the formation of nanopores within the microparticles upon rehydration of the microparticles in aqueous medium and subsequent dissolution of the mannitol. The oppositely charged polyelectrolytes provide a polymeric framework which stabilizes the microparticles upon rehydration. The versatility of this approach is demonstrated using horseradish peroxidase as the model enzyme and ovalbumin as the model antigen.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technology, Department of Pharmaceutics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Marijke
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dierendonck
authors.forename: Stefaan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: De Koker
authors.forename: Riet
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: De Rycke
authors.forename: Pieter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bogaert
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Grooten
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vervaet
authors.forename: Jean Paul
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Remon
authors.forename: Bruno G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: De Geest
mesh_terms: D019149:Bioreactors; D003460:Crystallization; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000737:chemistry; D008353:Mannitol / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D004573:Electrolytes; D008353:Mannitol