Bio-inorganic microcapsules from templating protein- and bionanoparticle-stabilized Pickering emulsions

Abstract

We hereby propose a novel method for the preparation of (bio-) inorganic microcapsules. Protein-stabilized oil-in-water Pickering emulsions formed a versatile scaffold for the mineralization with calcium phosphate. All reactions were performed at room temperature or 37 °C, respectively, and pH = 7.4. Different mineralization solutions, among them a simulated body fluid (SBF) for mimicking physiological conditions, gave different patterns of mineralization. Particularly, ferritin stabilized Pickering emulsions showed a slow nucleation and mineralization process. The formation of thin and rigid mineral shells could be readily achieved. We present a straightforward and at the same time extremely versatile approach here, which opens a new route to the preparation of hybrid materials with different hierarchical levels. These materials could find interesting applications in biomedicine, for cosmetic formulations or in food technology.