Iranian scientists find simple method to produce egg albumin nanoparticles

Iranian researchers found a simple method to produce egg albumin nanoparticles with narrow and fine size distribution. The researchers studied the effects of parameters that affect size, size distribution, and surface properties of nanoparticles. The produced nanoparticles can be used in novel drug and food delivery systems. The aim of the research was to design a drug nano-carrier with fine size and distribution particle size and appropriate surface properties, which is ideal to be used in novel drug delivery systems. In this research, egg albumin nanoparticles were produced through simple coacervation method so they can be used as an appropriate drug nano-carrier in novel drug delivery systems. The researchers investigated in their latest research the effect of parameters that affect size and size distribution of nanoparticles and surface properties of nanoparticles. PCS and AFM analyses were carried out in order to characterize size and size distribution, surface properties, and shape of nanoparticles. The analyses showed that the produced nanoparticles have almost spherical shape, and they are formed with desirable surface morphology (they have very smooth surface). In addition, it was turned out that egg albumin nanoparticles had a mean size of less than 100 nm. The simple coacervation method was considered an appropriate method for the production of this type of nanoparticles. Therefore, egg albumin nanoparticles can be considered very good candidates to be used as drug and food nano-carriers. Results of the research have been published in details in Particle & Particle Systems Characterization, vol. 29, issue 3, August 2012, pp. 211-222.