Basic properties of alginate/chitosan microcapsule surfaces and their interaction with proteins

Surface properties such as morphology, composition, wettability and charge of alginate/chitosan (ACA) microcapsules were analyzed. The effects of surface properties on fibrinogen adsorption onto ACA microcapsules and on its in vivo biocompatibility were then evaluated. The results showed that the increase in both surface roughness and zeta potential resulted in an increase in the amount and conformational change of fibrinogen adsorbed. Microcapsules with rougher surface and higher zeta potential implanted into the peritoneal cavities of mice elicited a more severe foreign body response