¹Department of Chemistry, GLA University, Mathura, 281006, U.P., India
²Department of Chemistry, DDU Gorakhpur University, Gorakhpur, 273001, UP (India)
³Department of Chemistry, Shri Ramswaroop Memorial University, Barabanki, 222502, U.P., India DOI : 10.29228/jrp.368 A biocompatible nano-drug delivery vehicle can efficiently deliver the toxic drug to the targeted site in nano-quantity to treat cancer patients. Considering this, the current study aims to fabricate stable egg albumin nanoparticles by using chloroacetic acid to modify their surfaces. The carboxyl functionalized egg albumin (FEA) nanoparticles were prepared through the desolvation process using ethanol as the desolvating agent; the generated nanoparticles were stabilized by glutaraldehyde. To obtain stable nanoparticles of suitable size, various reaction parameters viz concentration of FEA, pH, agitation speed, glutaraldehyde concentration, and rate of ethanol addition were examined. In neutral and alkaline mediums, we can get nanoparticles of 120-160 nm with -32 mV zeta potential. The pH of the medium played a decisive role, which strongly influences the FEA particle diameter and surface charge, while other parameters show little influence. SEM monochrome image of functionalized EA nanoparticles also supported the particle size of around 130 nm. Gallic acid (GA) has been encapsulated under optimal desolvation conditions using the FEA/GA acid ratios of 1:1, 2:1, 4:1, and 8:1. The obtained GA entrapped FEA spherical nanoparticles (GA-FEA) had a -30.9mV zeta potential and were negatively charged. At a 2:1 polymer/drug ratio, an entrapment efficiency (EE) of 90.4 % (w/w) and drug loading capacity of about 28.7 % (w/w) were achieved. This work is beneficial to the scientists involved in the field of cancer research. Keywords : Egg albumin; surface modification; gallic acid; nanoparticles; desolvation process; drug delivery