Characterization and chemistry of polyaldehyde microspheres

The chemical composition of polyacrolein (PA) microspheres of various types as well as polyglutaraldehyde (PGL) microspheres was elucidated. Nephelometric measurements were used for studying the stability properties of the polyaldehyde microspheres in different pH and salt concentrations. The stability of the aldehyde groups themselves at various pH and temperature was also determined. The polyaldehyde microspheres covalently bind amino ligands, e.g., proteins, antibodies, enzymes, and drugs in a single step. The effect of temperature and the influence of thiol compounds on the reaction between the polyaldehyde microspheres and amino ligands was examined. The reaction of the polyaldehyde microspheres with sodium hydrogen sulfite is also described.