ABSTRACT
A novel reverse emulsification-phase transition process was designed to prepare alginate-based nanocapsules in the present study. Ca alginate nanocapsules with an average hydrodynamic diameter below 300 nm were obtained by adjusting surfactant and alginate concentration. Instrumental analysis observations revealed a morphologically spherical shape with a relatively uniform size distribution without aggregation.?-potential measurements indicated an topically electrostatically negative nature of capsules in neutral aqueous solution. These nanocapsules were proven to have an equivalent potency to stimulate the maturation of dendritic cells originated from CD14 positive cells isolated from human peripheral blood. Protein loading via covalent conjugation was demonstrated feasible with EDC/NHS facilitated reaction between carboxyl and amino groups. These nanocapsules are considered to have important applications as a new adjuvant in cancer cell therapy, vaccine design and targeted drug delivery for active components of protein nature.