Alkylcyanoacrylate particles were physico-chemically characterized in terms of size, surface charge, zeta potential, interaction with charged serum components and surface hydrophobicity as relevant parameters influencing the in vitro interaction with cells in culture and the in vivo organ distribution and fate after intravenous administration. Methyl-, ethyl-, isobutyl- and isohexyl-cyanoacrylate particles were found to be very similar with regard to these properties. Large differences existed with regard to their degradation behaviour. The type of degradation (surface erosion) was determined by photon correlation spectroscopy, and the degradation velocity was evaluated using a turbidimetric assay. Surface modification of the particles by a polymer coating affected neither the type nor the velocity of the degradation.