Albumin nanoparticles

Abstract

Albumin is an attractive macromolecular carrier and is widely used in preparing nanoparticles due to its biodegradability, nontoxicity, and nonimmmunogenicity. Albumin nanoparticles themselves are biodegradable and can easily be prepared in defined sizes. Several protocols for preparing albumin nanoparticles that have been developed include: emulsification, desolvation, nab technology, thermal gelation, nano spray drying, and self-assembly techniques. After preparing albumin nanoparticles, physicochemical properties such as particle size, particle size distribution, zeta potential, and morphology need to be carefully checked if they are intended to be used in a specific delivery system. Albumin itself has several reactive amino acid groups on its surface, and, as a result, albumin nanoparticles also participate in the electrostatic adsorption of positively or negatively charged molecules. In addition, modifying the reactive amino acid groups on the surface can confer a variety of functionalities to albumin nanoparticles such as prolonged circulation half-life, enhanced nanosystem stability, sustained drug release, or targeting release. Therefore, albumin nanoparticles represent one of the most important drug carriers for the delivery of therapeutic drugs.