UV Irradiated SiO₂ Nanoparticles as Insulin and Immunoglobulin Molecule Carriers

Insulin and immunoglobulin therapy is commonly administered through injections that are invasive and painful. They cannot be taken orally because digestive enzymes break them down. To protect against enzymes, drug molecules may be “packed”, which decreases interaction of the active surface of the molecule with the environment. Silica nanoparticles (SiO₂) may be used to attach proteins like insulin or immunoglobulin for use in drug delivery. They are stable and biocompatible. Exposing SiO₂ nanoparticles to UV radiation may control molecule–nanoparticle attachment because of their electrostatic interactions. This study demonstrates the influence of UV radiation of SiO₂ nanoparticles on insulin and immunoglobulin molecule attachment. Alteration of the surface electric potential of SiO₂ nanoparticles by UV radiation was determined using electron work function measurements. Influence of radiation on formation of molecule-nanoparticle complexes was assessed by spectrophotometry of their sedimentation rate in solution. Increasing UV exposure time negatively charges the surfaces of SiO₂ nanoparticles. Insulin exhibits better adsorption with SiO₂ nanoparticles compared to immunoglobulin, likely due to favourable conditions promoting attractive electrostatic interactions. Longer UV exposure weakens insulin adsorption but does not significantly affect immunoglobulin adsorption.