Effect of emulsion polymerization and magnetic field on the adsorption of albumin on poly(methyl methacrylate)-based biomaterial surfaces

Abstract

The adsorption of bovine serum albumin (BSA) onto the surfaces of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and of methyl methacrylate copolymer with 2,3-epoxypropyl methacrylate, it was investigated. The polymeric matrices were obtained through radical emulsion polymerization with and without the presence of a continuous external magnetic field (MF) of 1,500 Gs intensity. Two types of surfactant agents were used for polymers' synthesis: a classic one sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) and beta-cyclodextrin (CD). The protein adsorption was conducted in the presence as well as in the absence of MF, by varying the coupling conditions, respectively, the temperature, pH and albumin/polymer ratio. The study underlines the assistance of MF during the adsorption process, materialized into growth of the BSA adsorbed quantity. Thus, MF presence during adsorption determines the doubling of the BSA adsorbed quantity onto the surface of polymers prepared in the MF. The adsorption process was also related to the tensioactive used for the synthesis of polymeric matrices. The higher content of the adsorbed BSA corresponds to the polymers with CD instead of SLS. The fact was attributed to the catalytic activity of the MF, which determines the molecules distortions, the growth of distance interactions and the modifications of the angles between bonds, with benefit effect upon adsorption.