ALBUMIN-BASED NON-COVALENT COMPLEXES AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF
A non-covalent complex of an albumin molecule and a hydrophobic ligand, compositions containing the same, and methods of use thereof are provided. The present complex may find use in delivering the hydrophobic ligand to microorganisms that have albumin-binding outer surfaces, such as a cell wall.
1 - 21 . (canceled)
22 . A method of delivering a hydrophobic molecule to the cell wall of a microorganism, the method comprising contacting a microorganism comprising a cell wall with an aqueous solution comprising a non-covalent complex of a hydrophobic molecule and a single albumin protein, wherein the hydrophobic molecule functionally associates with the microorganism.
23 . The method of claim 22 , wherein the microorganism is a pathogenic microorganism.
24 . The method of claim 22 , wherein the contacting occurs in vitro.
25 . The method of claim 22 , wherein the contacting occurs in vivo.
26 . The method of claim 22 , wherein the hydrophobic molecule is a carotenoid.
27 . The method of claim 29 , wherein the carotenoid is a carotene.
28 . The method of claim 29 , wherein the carotene is lycopene or β-carotene.
29 . The method of claim 22 , wherein the hydrophobic molecule is an antimicrobial.
30 . The method of claim 29 , wherein the antimicrobial is an antibacterial.
31 . The method of claim 29 , wherein the antimicrobial is an antifungal.
32 . The method of claim 22 , wherein the albumin protein is a human serum albumin protein.
33 - 59 . (canceled)
60 . The method of claim 22 , wherein the method further comprises forming the aqueous solution comprising the non-covalent complex of hydrophobic molecule and single albumin protein by:
dissolving the hydrophobic molecule in:
i) a first organic solvent comprising a C 3 -C 5 ketone; or
ii) a combination of the first organic solvent and a second organic solvent in a ratio of from about 0.001:1 to about 1000:1 v/v,
to provide a first solution;
combining the first solution with a second solution to provide a third solution, wherein the second solution is an aqueous solution comprising an albumin protein; and
removing the first organic solvent or the combination of the first organic solvent and the second organic solvent from the third solution to provide a fourth solution, wherein the fourth solution is an aqueous solution comprising a non-covalent complex of the hydrophobic molecule and a single albumin protein.
61 . The method of claim 60 , wherein the C 3 -C 5 ketone is acetone.
62 . The method of claim 60 , wherein the hydrophobic molecule is dissolved in the combination of a first organic solvent and a second organic solvent, and wherein the ratio of the first organic solvent and the second organic solvent is in the range of about 1:1 to about 5:1.
63 . The method of claim 62 , wherein the hydrophobic molecule is dissolved in the combination, and wherein the combination comprises the first organic solvent and the second organic solvent in a ratio of about 2:1.
64 . The method of claim 60 , wherein the hydrophobic molecule is dissolved in the combination, and wherein the method comprises:
dissolving the hydrophobic molecule in the second organic solvent, to provide a fifth solution; and
combining the fifth solution with the C 3 -C 5 ketone to provide the first solution prior to combining the first solution with the second solution.
65 . The method of claim 60 , wherein the removing is performed by evaporation.