Table 1.

Physicochemical characteristics of alginate nanoparticles

Formulation	DLSa			FFFb	NTAc	AFMd	TEMe	Cryo-TEMf
	Deff (nm)	PDI	ζ-potential (mV)	DH (nm)	(DH)n (nm)	Dav (nm)	Dav (nm)	Dav (nm)
Empty NPs	176 ± 5	0.18	−1.9 ± 1.1	172 ± 4	173 ± 11	54 ± 3	49 ± 2	163 ± 11
NPs / cyt c	164 ± 1	0.11	−0.8 ± 1.4	158 ± 6	161 ± 7	59 ± 4	51 ± 3	157 ± 8
NPs / CCL21	158 ± 3	0.16	−1.5 ± 0.6	-	179 ± 8	50 ± 2	47 ± 2	-

^aParticle size (D_eff), particle size distribution (PDI) and ζ-potential were determined by DLS (1 mg/mL, PBS, pH 7.4, 25°C). Data presented as means ± SD (n = 3–5).

^bHydrodynamic diameter (D_H) was determined by FFF-DLS at a concentration of 1.35 mg/mL (PBS, pH 7.4, 25°C).

^cNumber-averaged hydrodynamic diameler (D_H)_n was determined by NTA. Samples were diluted with PBS to a final concentration of 0.1 mg/mL prior measurements.

^dSamples were diluted with distilled water to a final concentration of 0.01 mg/mL.

^e,fThe TEM measurements were done at alginate concentration of 2 mg/mL.