Effect of reaction parameters on properties of dispersion-polymerized hydrophilic microspheres as supports for immobilization of proteins

Abstract

Particle size and polydispersity of hydrophilic microspheres prepared by dispersion polymerization of 2-hydroxyethyl and glycidyl methacrylate (HEMA, GMA) and 1-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone was compared with literature data on various polymer particles. Their properties depend on many reaction parameters of the polymerization, primarily on the solvency of the reaction medium for the polymeric particles represented in terms of liquid polarity and defined by the solubility parameters; however, the nature and concentration of the monomer, steric stabilizer (co-stabilizer) and initiator, and polymerization temperature are of great importance as well. Monodisperse particles can be obtained only if the number of mature particles formed at the beginning of polymerization remains constant. Poly(HEMA) and hydrolyzed poly(GMA) microspheres were used as carriers of immobilized proteins, such as horseradish peroxidase, DNase I, RNase A, proteinase K, and anti-Salmonella. Activation of hydroxy groups of the carrier via cyanuric chloride was the preferred immobilization method. Immobilized proteins were tested in some molecular-biological applications.

Acknowledgement Financial support by grant No. 203/00/1339 of the Grant Agency of the Czech Republic and the Academy of Sciences (project No. AVOZ4050913) is gratefully acknowledged. The authors thank Dr. F. Lednický of the Institute for SEM measurements.

Presented at Polymer Colloids Conference, Irsee 2002