Physical immobilization of laccase on an electrode by means of poly(ethyleneimine) microcapsules

Microcapsules of poly(ethyleneimine) were used to immobilize laccase on the surface of an electrode and its mediated electron transfer was studied with the redox mediator p-phenylenediamine (PPD). The microcapsules consisted of a cross-linked PEI wall generated from an emulsion of an aqueous phase containing the enzyme. The reaction of encapsulated laccase with PPD was studied by spectrophotometry and oxygen consumption. We found that the encapsulation resulted in a small shift for the optimum pH and a lower K_m value when compared to free laccase. These differences are attributed to the charged micro-environment offered by the microcapsules. The microcapsules were then deposited on a glassy carbon electrode and chronoamperometry was used to evaluate the mediated electron transfer between the enzyme and the electrode. No significant differences in term of optimum pH and K_m occurred upon capsules deposition on the electrode. The response time of the electrode for PPD oxidation was higher than those found in the literature, which suggests that the PEI capsule wall offers some resistance to mediator permeation, an hypothesis that was verified by RDE measurements. The charged nature of the PEI membrane appeared to affect several parameters of the laccase-mediator reaction and the effect of pH and mediator charge on this reaction are reported. The immobilization platform under study can be applied to different enzyme-mediator systems than the laccase-PPD used here and is relevant to the development of bioelectrocatalytic systems.     

Preparation of polyethyleneimine nanogels via photo-Fenton reaction

Photo-Fenton reaction was used to prepare polyethyleneimine nanogels (M-PEIs) from PEI pre-polymer as potential non-viral gene delivery vectors. Competition between crosslinking and scission of PEI pre-polymer in assembled cluster made the size of particles homogeneous. Morphologies of the nanoparticles in every step showed the existence of self-assembly in aqueous solution. The results indicated that the crosslinking of PEI pre-polymer was mainly initiated via hydrogen abstraction by hydroxyl radicals generated in the systems.     

Adsorption of polyelectrolyte modified graphene to silica surfaces: monolayers and multilayers

Exfoliated graphene particles stabilised by the cationic polyelectrolyte polyethyleneimine (PEI) were used in conjunction with an anionic polyelectrolyte, poly(acrylic acid), to construct multilayers using the layer-by-layer technique on a silica substrate. In the first adsorption step, the surface excess of the cationic graphene was dependent on the overall charge on the nanoparticle which in turn can be tuned through modifying solution pH as PEI has weakly ionisable charged amine groups. The adsorbed amount onto the silica surface increased as the solution pH increased. Subsequently, a layer of PAA was adsorbed on top of the cationic graphene through electrostatic interaction. The multilayer could be assembled through this alternate deposition, with the influence of solution conditions investigated. The pH of the adsorbing solutions was the chief determinant of the overall adsorbed amounts, with more mass added at the elevated pH of 9 in comparison with pH 4. Atomic force microscopy confirmed that the graphene particles were adsorbed to the silica interface and that the surface coverage of the disc-like nanoparticles was complete after the deposition of five graphene-polyelectrolyte bi-layers. Furthermore, the graphene nanoparticles themselves could be modified through the consecutive addition of the oppositely charged polymers. A multilayered assembly of negatively charged graphene sheets modified with a bi-layer of PEI and PAA was also deposited on a silica surface with adsorbed PEI.     

交联壳聚糖水凝胶填充层状微胶囊的制备与性能

在甲基丙烯酸和乳酸接枝修饰的水溶性壳聚糖(CML)存在下, 合成了尺寸均匀的球形CML杂化碳酸钙微粒. 通过层层组装(LBL)技术在该微粒表面形成了聚苯乙烯磺酸钠(PSS)/聚烯丙基胺盐酸盐(PAH)多层膜, 去除碳酸钙微粒后得到内部含有CML的聚电解质微胶囊. 进一步采用紫外光引发CML聚合, 将CML转化为CML微凝胶, 得到内部填充凝胶的微胶囊. 通过扫描电镜、光学显微镜和透射电镜等技术表征了微胶囊的结构. 与传统的LBL微胶囊不同, 凝胶填充的微胶囊干燥时尺寸收缩, 但仍可保持球形; 再次水化后, 能够膨胀恢复其原有尺寸和形态. 各种具有不同电荷性质、分子量和亲疏水性的染料分子及蛋白质均可有效地装载到微胶囊内.     

Polyelectrolyte microcapsules templated on poly(styrene sulfonate)-doped CaCO3 particles for loading and sustained release of daunorubicin and doxorubicin

A strategy to incorporate and release anti-cancer drugs of daunorubicin (DNR) and doxorubicin (DOX) in preformed microcapsules is introduced, which is based on charge interaction mechanism. Oppositely charged poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and poly(styrene sulfonate) (PSS) were assembled onto PSS doped-CaCO₃ colloidal particles in a layer-by-layer manner to yield core-shell particles. After removal of the carbonate cores, hollow microcapsules with entrapped PSS were fabricated, which showed spontaneous loading ability of positively charged DNR and DOX. The drug loading was confirmed quantitatively by observations under confocal laser scanning microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and scanning force microscopy. Quantification of the drug loading was performed under different conditions, revealing that a larger amount of drugs could be incorporated at higher drug feeding concentrations and higher salt concentrations. However, putting additional polyelectrolyte layers on the microcapsules after core removal resulted in weaker drug loading efficiency. The drug release behaviors from the microcapsules with different layer numbers were studied too, revealing a diffusion controlled release mechanism at the initial stage (4 h).     

Nanofiltration membranes synthesized from hyperbranched polyethyleneimine

Four nanofiltration membranes, two negatively and two positively charged, were fabricated by interfacial polymerization. Three different amines, ethylenediamine (EDA), diethylenetriamine (DETA), and hyperbranched polyethyleneimine (PEI) were selected to react with two acyl chlorides, trimesoyl chloride (TMC) and terephthaloyl chloride (TPC). The two membranes containing hyperbranched PEI, PEI/TPC and PEI/TMC, are positively charged at the operational pH. But the other two membranes, EDA/TMC and DETA/TMC, are negatively charged. It is found that the two PEI membranes own special rejection characters during nanofiltration. The PEI/TPC membrane has a similar pore size to the EDA/TMC membrane but owns simultaneously the higher salt rejection and permeation flux. The PEI/TMC has a pore size as large as 1.5 nm and still has a higher NaCl rejection than the EDA/TMC membrane of which the pore size as small as 0.43 nm. We consider that the special rejection characters are derived from the special structure of PEI. The hyperbranched structure allows some of the charged amine groups drifting inside the pores and interacting with the ions in the pathway. The drifting amines increase salt rejection but have little effect on water permeation. It implies that a high flux and high rejection membrane for desalting can be obtained by attaching freely rotating charged groups.     

A visual test paper for extremely strong concentrated acidity with a new synthesized isoindole reagent

A visual test paper by taking common filter paper as solid support for extremely strong concentrated acidity has been developed in this contribution with a new synthesized isoindole compound starting from p-phenylenediamine and the coupled fluorogenic reagent of o-phthaldialdehyde-β-mercaptoethanol. It was very easy for semiquantitative detection of acidity in the range of 0.2-18 M ([H⁺]) in extreme acidic solution based on the color changes of the solution or the visual test paper prepared by immerging filter paper slides into the solution of the new synthesized reagent. Quantitative detection of concentrated strong acids could be successfully constructed through the linear relationship exists between the absorbance of the chromogenic reagent at 510 nm and the acid concentrations.     

Microcapsules for controlled release via donnan dialysis

The preparation of ion-exchange microcapsules that exhibit a diameter of 10 40μm, a membrane shell of 0.1-1μm in thickness and with charge densities in the range of 0.8-1.2 meq/g is described. The microcapsules were prepared by interfacial cross-linking of bromomethylated poly(phenylene oxide) (PPOBr) and poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI). These polymers were dissolved in toluene and aqueous solutions, respectively. Upon dispersing the PEI solution in the organic phase, ion-exchange microcapsules were instantaneously formed. These microcapsules contain aqueous solutions of PEI and inorganic salt and are self-sealing. They can be dried and stored in a “dormant”, inactive state. Upon exposure to ambient humidity or aqueous solutions, water diffuses rapidly into the microcapsules, establishing the conditions for Donnan exchange of ions between the external phase and the microcapsule interior. Some preliminary transport measurements of the exchange of encapsulated nitrate ions (a corrosion inhibitor) with chloride ions (a corrosion inducer) in the external phase via a Donnan exchange mechanism are reported. Ion transport and leakage rates are compared with those obtained from flat sheet ion-exchange membranes made from identical materials.     

界面聚合制备新型荷正电纳滤膜

以聚砜超滤膜为基膜,聚乙烯亚胺、均苯三甲酰氯为界面聚合单体,水和正己烷分别为两相溶剂,通过界面聚合方法制备荷正电纳滤膜。实验着重考察了Na2SO4-PEG400-H2O三元混合体系的分离情况,结果表明,该膜可有效地实现低分子量有机物与Na2SO4的分离;另外,随着Na2SO4或PEG400浓度的增大,膜对Na2SO4和PEG400的截留率有所降低。     

Layered microcapsules for daunorubicin loading and release as well as in vitro and in vivo studies

Anti‐cancer drug daunorubicin (DNR) was encapsulated in preformed multilayer microcapsules and was applied in tumor treatment by in vitro cell culture and in vivo animal experiments. The microcapsules were fabricated by an alternate deposition of oppositely charged polysaccharides, i.e. chitosan and alginate onto carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) doped CaCO₃ colloidal particles in a sequential assembly procedure, followed by crosslinking of the capsule shells with glutaraldehyde (GA) and removal of the templates by disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). The as‐prepared microcapsules showed strong ability to induce the positively charged DNR to deposit into the microcapsule interiors. Confocal microscopy and transmission electron microscopy observed homogeneous distribution of the drug within microcapsules. The loaded DNR could be released again, following a diffusion‐controlled model at the initial stage. In vitro experiments demonstrated that the encapsulated DNR can effectively induce the apoptosis of BEL‐7402 tumor cells, as evidenced by various microscopy techniques after acridine orange (AO), Hoechst 33342, and osmium tetraoxide staining. By seeding the BEL‐7402 hepatoma cells into BALB/c/nu mice, tumors were created for the animal experiments. The results showed that the encapsulated DNR had better efficacy than that of the free drug in terms of tumor inhibition in a 4 week in vivo culture period. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A facile pathway to prepare enzymatically degradable microcapsules with tunable capsule shell properties

Dextran sulfate (DS)/poly-l-lysine (PLL) microcapsules are fabricated by an in situ coacervation method using DS-doped CaCO₃ microparticles as templates. Twinned superstructures or spherical CaCO₃ microparticles are produced depending on DS concentration in the starting solution. DS/PLL microcapsules with ellipsoidal or spherical outline are obtained after removal of templates in disodium ethylene diamine tetraacetate dehydrate (EDTA) without PLL. Their shell thickness and negative surface charges increase with the DS weight percentage in the templates. The surface potential of DS/PLL microcapsules, fabricated by core removal in an EDTA/PLL solution, can be easily tuned by altering PLL concentration in template removal solution. DS/PLL microcapsules fabricated by template removal in solution with or without PLL are both degraded by α-chymotrypsin, and different degradation profiles are observed because of shell thickness differences. DS/PLL may be used as transport vehicles for various compounds regardless of their charge sign in biomedical fields.     

Matrix polyelectrolyte capsules based on polysaccharide/MnCO₃ hybrid microparticle templates

An efficient strategy for biomacromolecule encapsulation based on spontaneous deposition into polysaccharide matrix-containing capsules is introduced in this study. First, hybrid microparticles composed of manganese carbonate and ionic polysaccharides including sodium hyaluronate (HA), sodium alginate (SA) and dextran sulfate sodium (DS) with narrow size distribution were synthesized to provide monodisperse templates. Incorporation of polysaccharide into the hybrid templates was successful as verified by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Matrix polyelectrolyte microcapsules were fabricated through layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes (PEs) onto the hybrid particles, followed by removal of the inorganic part of the cores, leaving polysaccharide matrix inside the capsules. The loading and release properties of the matrix microcapsules were investigated using myoglobin as a model biomacromolecule. Compared to matrix-free capsules, the matrix capsules had a much higher loading capacity up to four times; the driving force is mostly due to electrostatic interactions between myoglobin and the polysaccharide matrix. From our observations, for the same kind of polysaccharide, a higher amount of polysaccharide inside the capsules usually led to better loading capacity. The release behavior of the loaded myoglobin could be readily controlled by altering the environmental pH. These matrix microcapsules may be used as efficient delivery systems for various charged water-soluble macromolecules with applications in biomedical fields.     

Motion‐Based,High‐Yielding,and Fast Separation of Different Charged Organics in Water

We report a self‐propelled Janus silica micromotor as a motion‐based analytical method for achieving fast target separation of polyelectrolyte microcapsules, enriching different charged organics with low molecular weights in water. The self‐propelled Janus silica micromotor catalytically decomposes a hydrogen peroxide fuel and moves along the direction of the catalyst face at a speed of 126.3 μm s^?1. Biotin‐functionalized Janus micromotors can specifically capture and rapidly transport streptavidin‐modified polyelectrolyte multilayer capsules, which could effectively enrich and separate different charged organics in water. The interior of the polyelectrolyte multilayer microcapsules were filled with a strong charged polyelectrolyte, and thus a Donnan equilibrium is favorable between the inner solution within the capsules and the bulk solution to entrap oppositely charged organics in water. The integration of these self‐propelled Janus silica micromotors and polyelectrolyte multilayer capsules into a lab‐on‐chip device that enables the separation and analysis of charged organics could be attractive for a diverse range of applications.     

Supramolecular hydrogel microcapsules via cucurbit[8]uril host–guest interactions with triggered and UV-controlled molecular permeability

Host–guest assembly in droplet-based microfluidics opens a new avenue for fabricating supramolecular hydrogel microcapsules with high monodispersity and controlled functionality. In this paper, we demonstrate a single emulsion microdroplet platform to prepare microcapsules with supramolecular hydrogel skins from host molecule cucurbit[8]uril and guest polymer anthracene-functionalized hydroxyethyl cellulose. In contrast to construction of microcapsules from a droplet-in-droplet double emulsion, here the electrostatic attraction between charged polymer and surfactant facilitates formation of defined supramolecular hydrogel skins in a single emulsion. Furthermore, by taking advantage of dynamic interactions and the tunable cross-linked supramolecular hydrogel network, it is possible to prepare microcapsules with triggered and UV-controlled molecular permeability. These could be potentially used in a delivery system for e.g. agrochemicals, nutraceuticals or cosmetics.     

Reversible switching of protein uptake and release at polyelectrolyte multilayers detected by ATR-FTIR spectroscopy

The reversible switching of uptake and release of the proteins lysozyme (LYZ, IEP = 11.1) and human serum albumin (HSA, IEP = 4.8) at the surface attached polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) consisting of poly(ethylene-imine) (PEI) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAC) is shown. Protein adsorption could be switched by pH setting due to electrostatic interaction. Adsorption of positively charged LYZ at PEM-6 took place at pH = 7.3, where the outermost PAC layer was negatively charged. Complete desorption was obtained at pH = 4, where the outermost PAC layer was neutral. Additionally the charge state of the last adsorbed PAC layer in dependence of the pH of the medium could be determined in the ATR-FTIR difference spectra by the ν(COO⁻) and ν(C=O) band due to carboxylate and carboxylic acid groups. Adsorption of negatively charged HSA at PEM-7 was achieved at pH = 7.3, where the outermost PEI layer was positively charged. Part desorption was obtained at pH = 10, where the outermost PEI layer was neutral. PEM of PEI/PAC may be used for the development of bioactive and bionert materials and protein sensors.     

亚铈试纸的设计与制作

以中速定量滤纸作为基纸,依次用作为基纸改性剂的十六烷基三甲基溴化铵(质量分数0.5%)和作为显色剂的二甲酚橙(质量分数0.2%)浸泡、晾干,制成亚铈试纸。 用1.000×10^-5~1.000 mol/L的Ce³⁺标准溶液分别浸泡该试纸,制成11种颜色的标准比色卡。 建立了强酸性Ce⁴⁺/Ce³⁺混合液中Ce³⁺浓度的半定量试纸测定法。 将本法应用于再生电解液和模拟有机合成液中Ce³⁺ 浓度的测定,表明只需用质量分数20%的六次甲基四胺缓冲溶液将试液调整至pH值5.0~6.0,结果准确度良好,共存的Ce⁴⁺、对苯二酚、对羟基苯甲醛、1,10-二羟基蒽醌等组分均不产生干扰。 该试纸具有制作方法简单、廉价易得、检测快速、易操作等优点,可应用于生产流程中Ce³⁺浓度的快速检测。     

Colloids engineering and filtration to enhance the sensitivity of paper-based biosensors

Paper-based biosensors represent a disruptive technology by providing instantaneous and low-cost diagnostics for health and environmental applications. The lack of sensitivity can be an obstacle for this technology to compete with traditional analytical instrumentations. Aiming to improve the sensitivity of a paper-based colorimetric biosensor, we have applied colloids engineering in combination with filtration to lower the paper substrate backgrounds and optimize the immobilization of bio-molecules on paper. A model system consisting of an enzyme, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and an inorganic colloid, calcium carbonate (CC), flocculated by a cationic dimethylamino-ethyl-methacrylate polyacrylamide (CPAM), demonstrated that the optimized CC flocs are best for enhancing the detecting sensitivity of ALP. The CC floc structure on paper was optimized by modulating its structure in suspension. Subsequently, the filtration process and the wicking ability of paper enabled to freeze the deposited CC structure inherited from the suspension. The incorporation of biomolecules into the CC before immobilizing on paper through filtration provided not only a better microenvironment, but also a higher surface density of immobilized biomolecules. The ALP detection limit of 117 fmol per zone (5 mm circle) in the current study was fifty times lower than that of the common soaking method for biomolecule immobilization. The minimum amount of biomolecules per unit substrate area required for detection was lowered by over an order of magnitude, compared with spotting methods (i.e. inkjet printing). The improvement was also demonstrated by the steepest slope of standard curve, the lowest background, and the highest activity of the bioactive paper probed with the diluted BCIP/NBT liquid substrates.     

Fe2O3 nanoparticles as particulate emulsifier: Preparation of magnetic and biocompatible PLGA microcapsules

Magnetic iron oxide (Fe₂O₃, maghemite) nanoparticle-coated micrometer-sized poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microcapsules were fabricated via a combined system of “Pickering-type” emulsion route and solvent volatilization method in the absence of any molecular surfactants. Stable oil-in-water emulsions were prepared using Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles as a particulate emulsifier and a dichloromethane (CH₂Cl₂) solution of PLGA as an oil phase. The Fe₂O₃ nanoparticle-coated PLGA microcapsules were fabricated by the evaporation of CH₂Cl₂ from the emulsion, and then bare-PLGA microcapsules were prepared by the removal of the Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles using HCl aqueous solution. The two types of microcapsules were characterized in terms of size, component and morphology using scanning electronic microscope (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared, optical microscope, and so on. SEM with energy dispersive analysis system (EDS) study confirmed that, there is negligibly small amount of Fe₂O₃ in the bare-PLGA microcapsules after washing with HCl aqueous solution. Moreover, a possible mechanism for the formation of the microcapsules was proposed. The combined system of Pickering emulsion and solvent volatilization opens up a new route to fabricate a variety of microcapsules.     

Reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium to formazan by folic acid

The reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) to formazan by folic acid, N-(4-aminobenzoyl) glutamic acid, and other amino acids was studied in this paper. The reduction involves only one of the two tetrazolium rings of NBT. The reaction is considerably more rapid with folic acid and N-(4-aminobenzoyl) glutamic acid than with the other amino acids under study. The electron donor moiety appears to be the carboxylic acid in the alpha position. N-ethyl-N′(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide notably increases the rate of the reaction and promotes the reduction of both tetrazolium rings.     

Poly(ethyleneimine) microcapsules: glutaraldehyde‐mediated assembly and the influence of molecular weight on their properties

Poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI) microcapsules were prepared via the method of glutaraldehyde (GA)‐mediated covalent layer‐by‐layer (LbL) assembly, which utilized GA to cross‐link the adsorbed PEI layer and to introduce free aldehyde group on the surface for the next PEI adsorption on MnCO₃ microparticles, followed by core removal. Evidenced by ellipsometry, the PEI multilayers grew nearly linearly along with the layer number and their thickness was controlled at the nanometer scale. The hollow structure, morphology, and wall thickness were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), scanning force microscopy (SFM), and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), revealing that the capsule structure as well as the cut‐off molecular weight of the capsule wall could be tuned by the molecular weight of PEI. This offers a general and novel pathway to fabricate single component capsules with pre‐designed structure (size, shape, and wall thickness) and properties. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.