Modification of nanomagnetite surface with albumin: analysis by Hummel–Dreyer chromatography with Bradford detection of unbound protein

The Hummel–Dreyer chromatographic method with selective Bradford protein analysis was used as a new analytical approach to investigate protein corona formation on the surface of nanoparticles. This method, based on the separation of protein-bound nanoparticles from free protein under equilibrium conditions, was tested on citrate-stabilized magnetite nanoparticles and albumin. Quantitative data on protein sorption were obtained, and it was shown that preincubation of the nanoparticles with the protein is necessary to achieve equilibrium.