Covalent bonds, protein-based materials

The macroscopic properties of protein-based materials partially depend on protein-network stabilizing interactions. The presence of "physical bonds" (i.e. folded chains), covalent intermolecular bonds and/or a high interaction density... 

The macroscopic properties of the protein-based, 3D macromolecular networks partially depend on system stabilising interactions. The water solubility of protein materials depends on the nature and density of intermolecular interactions. Materials are soluble in water when the energy of the interprotein bonds is lower than the energy of the interactions that could be established between water and polar groups not involved in the network. The presence of physical nodes (i.e., chain entanglements), covalent intermolecular bonds and/or a high interaction density is sufficient to produce films that are completely or partially insoluble in water [77]. For example, the presence of intermolecular covalent bonds in wheat gluten- or keratin-based materials makes them insoluble. 

Bom synmetic and natural scaffold materials have been studied as delivery systems for therapeutic proteins. There are excellent articles and reviews describing me properties of mese materials and reporting me results of clinical trials (Lee et al., 2011 Demidova-Rice et al., 2012 Gainza et al., 2015). Here we describe approaches to incorporate therapeutic proteins to such scaffold materials. Therapeutic proteins may be adsorbed or encapsulated on matrix material or me interaction may be based on covalent bonding or noncovalent interaction such as affinity interaction (Fig. 10.2, Table 10.2). 

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