Preparation Of IgY-Loaded Alginate-Chitosan Microcapsule And Evaluation Of Its Properties

Chicken egg-yolk immunoglobulin (IgY) provides an inexpensive and effective source of antibodies for the passive immunization of animals suffering from intestinal diseases. It is a promising alternative for the treatment and prevention of enteric infections, and has shown to be effective against a number of gastrointestinal pathogens, including Escherichia coli, Salmonella and rotavirus. However, its application is limited by its sensitivity to gastrointestinal conditions.Here, the IgY-containing microcapsules are made with nature materials-Alginate (ALG) and Chitosan (CTS). High-voltage electrostatic system is used to prepare ALG-CTS microcapsules for IgY via electrostatics interaction.For the blank microcapsules, optimum operating conditions are established for preparation of homogenous, spherical, and smooth alginate-chitosan microcapsules. The optimum results can be obtained under the following conditions: voltage 6 kv, distance from needle end to fluid 40 mm, pump rate 60 ml/h, CaCl₂ concentration 0.5%, ALG concentration 1.8%, CTS concentration 0.4%. The mean diameter of the microcapsules prepared under the optimum conditions is 152.28 μm.For the IgY microcapsules, optimum results are obtained under the following conditions: IgY loading rate 10 mg/ml, CaCl₂ concentration 0.1%, ALG concentration 2%, CTS concentration 0.4%, CTS pH 4. The entrapment efficiency, IgY activity retained and in vitro release of the IgY prepared under the optimum conditions in SGF (Simulated Gastric Fluid) and SIF (Simulated Intestinal Fluid) are examined. IgY entrapment efficiency achieves 90% in the optimum condition. The IgY retains 80% activity after 2 h exposure to SGF and then 6 h exposure to SIF. Less than 10% IgY is released upon the microcapsules exposure to SGF for 2 hours, and more than 90% IgY is released upon the microcapsules exposure to SIF for 6 h. Electrophoretic studies of IgY microcapsules passed gasintestinal tract show the intact protein band.Consequently, it can be said that the system can be offered for the temporary protection of IgY against acidic and enzymatic degradation during gastric passage, enabling its use for oral passive immunotherapy.