Multilayer alginate/protamine microsized capsules: encapsulation of alpha-chymotrypsin and controlled release study.

Stable polyelectrolyte microcapsules with size 6.5 microm were produced by means of the layer-by-layer adsorption of sodium alginate and protamine to surface of melamine formaldehyde microparticles. Core decomposition at low pH leads to formation of polyelectrolyte multilayered capsules filled with alginate gel. A proteolytic enzyme, alpha-chymotrypsin, was loaded into these microcapsules by embedding in alginate gel with high efficacy. The protein in the capsules was found to retain a high physiological activity of about 70% showed with fluorescent product. The protein was found to keep inside the microcapsules in water and acid (HCl solution, pH 1.7) during 24 and 4 h, respectively, while 75-85% of protein can be revealed in supernatant after 6 h incubation at pH 8.0 (0.05 M Tris buffer) in the presence of 2.5% w/v of sodium deoxycholate. The release rate of enzyme from multilayer alginate/protamine microcapsules can be regulated by additional adsorption of polyelectrolytes onto the microcapsules with encapsulated protein. Such protein-loaded capsules can be proposed as a drug delivery system with controllable release properties.