A modified method for the production of stable surface-functionalized bovine serum albumin nanoparticles

Background: To enhance the therapeutic index of drugs, various targeted drug delivery systems have been developed in recent decades. Among different drug carrier systems, albumin-based nanocarriers have acquired much attention due to its nonimmunogenic, biodegradable, biocompatible, and nontoxic nature. The present investigation deals with the development of a stable carboxyl functionalized bovine serum albumin (FBSA) nanoparticles through surface modification with chloroacetic acid. Methods: FBSA nanoparticles were synthesized by ground dispersion using ethanol as a desolvating agent; the stabilization of nanoparticles was done by glutaraldehyde. Various process modalities, namely glutaraldehyde concentration, FBSA concentration, pH, ethanol addition rate, and agitation speed, were tested to obtain stable nanoparticles of suitable size. Results: The nanoparticles of average diameter 100–120 nm with − 30 mV zeta potential and 0.1 polydispersity index were obtained in neutral and alkaline medium. Particle size and surface charge are very less influenced by varying the FBSA in 10–200 mg/ml concentration range. pH of the medium strongly influences the surface charge and particle diameter of the FBSA nanoparticles. No significant effect on particle diameter was noticed on varying the ethanol addition rate, stirring rate, and glutaraldehyde amount in the studied range. The scanning electron microscopy monochrome image and dynamic light scattering image of FBSA display that nanoparticles are of around 100 nm size. Conclusions: The present study proposes the preparation of more stable bovine serum albumin nanoparticles through surface modification. The synthesized nanoparticles will be capable to deliver the cancer drugs more effectively to the targeted tumor site.