Week 6: Project Goal Modification and Fabrication Testing
The group discussed the new direction of the project with our adviser last Friday, and it was recommended that that the multi-shell aspect be postponed for future work. Therefore, the current project is focusing on controlling single stage release via established methods such as varying alginate concentration and surface area.
The bromelain powder arrived this week, so the group decided to begin experimenting with incorporating it into alginate structures. We discovered early on that mixing bromelain into a sodium alginate solution was difficult due to the inherent viscosity of the solution, so it was decided that bromelain should be dissolved in water before the addition of sodium alginate.
Based on our literature search, two methods for detecting bromelain concentration were considered for the experiment. The presence of amino acids with aromatic rings in proteins results in a spectroscopic absorbance peak at 280 nm. Spectrophometric measurements at this wavelength can accurately detect the presence of pure proteins, perfect for our experiment. The other option is a Bradford protein assay which functions via measuring absorbance shifts. However, it requires the use of a specific dye (Coomassie Brilliant Blue G-250). The use of this dye adds more factors to the drug manufacturing process.
The bromelain powder arrived this week, so the group decided to begin experimenting with incorporating it into alginate structures. We discovered early on that mixing bromelain into a sodium alginate solution was difficult due to the inherent viscosity of the solution, so it was decided that bromelain should be dissolved in water before the addition of sodium alginate.
Figure 1. Sample absorbance spectra of proteins
Based on our literature search, two methods for detecting bromelain concentration were considered for the experiment. The presence of amino acids with aromatic rings in proteins results in a spectroscopic absorbance peak at 280 nm. Spectrophometric measurements at this wavelength can accurately detect the presence of pure proteins, perfect for our experiment. The other option is a Bradford protein assay which functions via measuring absorbance shifts. However, it requires the use of a specific dye (Coomassie Brilliant Blue G-250). The use of this dye adds more factors to the drug manufacturing process.
Figure 2. Coomassie Brilliant Blue G-250
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