Albumin-based non-covalent complexes and methods of use thereof

Abstract

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.