Cystamine-incorporated gelatin microsphere and its redox-responsive release property

Reduction-responsive cystamine-incorporated gelatin microspheres were prepared by an emulsification method. On SEM micrograph, the microsphere, prepared at pH 9.0 and at the carboxyl/amino group molar ratio of 1:1, was sphere-like and its diameter was a few to 100 µm. The gelatin to cystamine ratio of the microsphere was about 1:0.2 (w/w), determined by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Two endothermic peaks were observed around 92°C and 126°C, which were thought to be the melting point of gelatin-rich phase and that of cystamine-rich phase, respectively. The microsphere released its payload (FITC-dextran) in dithiothreitol (a reducing agent) concentration-dependent manner.