Enzymatic degradation of the polymer capsules with a hydrophobic core in the presence of Langmuir lipid monolayer as a model of the cellular membrane

Abstract

Submicrocapsules were prepared from diethylaminoethyl dextran (DEAE-D), xanthan gum (XG) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) on oil cores by ultrasonic treatment. These capsules were modified with poly-L-lysine (PLL) via electrostatic adsorption. The behavior of the capsules was investigated at an air-water interface after their introduction into an aqueous subphase. The interaction of the capsules with 1,2-Dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC) monolayer formed on the water surface (model cellular membrane) was studied both upon their introduction under the condensed monolayer and with the use of a dilute colloidal solution of the capsules as a subphase. Biodegradation of the proteinaceous capsules with subsequent oil-core release was demonstrated by influence of pronase. The Langmuir lipid monolayer was found to be a good model for investigation of drug release from the capsules in the presence of the cellular membrane.

Keywords: Biodegradation; Hydrophobic materials; Langmuir monolayer; Model cellular membrane; Polymer capsules; Triggered release.