Lyophilized hemoglobin‐albumin cluster with disaccharides: Long‐term storable powder of artificial O2‐carrier

Core‐shell protein cluster comprising a hemoglobin (Hb) in the center and human serum albumins (HSA) at the exterior, Hb‐HSA ₃ cluster, is an artificial O₂‐carrier designed for use as a red blood cell (RBC) substitute. Lyophilization of the Hb‐HSA ₃ cluster solution ([Hb unit] = 5 g/dL) with sucrose and trehalose yielded stable pink powder, which can be stored for 2 years at 4°C. Addition of pure water to the powder regenerated the homogeneous solution. The O₂‐binding properties and oxyHb rate have been unaltered during the storage period. Infrared spectroscopic studies revealed that the hydrogen bond between protein and sugar stabilizes three‐dimensional structure of the cluster.