| abstract |
The present invention relates to crosslinked protein crystals characterized by the ability to change from insoluble and stable form to soluble and active form upon a change in the environment of said crystals, said change being selected from the group consisting of change in temperature, change in pH, change in chemical composition, change from concentrate to dilute form, change in shear force acting upon the crystals and combinations thereof. According to one embodiment of this invention, such crosslinked protein crystals are capable of releasing their protein activity at a controlled rate. This invention also provides methods for producing such crosslinked protein crystals, methods using them for protein delivery and methods using them in cleaning agents, including detergents, pharmaceutical compositions, vaccines, personal care compositions, including cosmetics, veterinary compositions, foods, feeds, diagnostics and formulations for decontamination. |