Preparing Poly (Lactic-co-Glycolic Acid) (PLGA) Microspheres Containing Lysozyme-Zinc Precipitate Using a Modified Double Emulsion Method

Lysozyme, as a model protein, was precipitated through the formation of protein-Zn complex to micronize for subsequent encapsulation within poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres. Various parameters, including pH, type and concentration of added salts and protein concentration, were modified to optimize the yield of protein complexation and precipitation. The resulting protein particles (lysozyme-Zn complex as a freshly prepared suspension or a freeze-dried solid) were then loaded into PLGA (Resomer® 503H) microspheres, using a double emulsion technique and microspheres encapsulation efficiency and their sizes were determined. It was observed that salt type could significantly influence the magnitude of protein complexation. At the same conditions, zinc chloride was found to be more successful in producing pelletizable lysozyme. Generally, higher concentrations of protein solution led also to the higher yields of complexation and at the optimum conditions, the percentage of pelletizable lysozyme reached to 80%. Taking advantage of this procedure, a modified technique for preparation of protein-loaded PLGA microspheres was established, although it is also expected that this technique increases the protein drugs stabilization during the encapsulation process.