Nanoscale characterization of zein self-assembly

Zein, a major protein of corn, is rich in α-helical structure. It has an amphiphilic character and is capable of self-assembly. Zein can self-assemble into various mesostructures that may find applications in food, agricultural, and biomedical engineering. Understanding the mechanism of zein self-as...

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Veröffentlicht in:Langmuir : the ACS journal of surfaces and colloids. - 1985. - 28(2012), 5 vom: 07. Feb., Seite 2429-35
1. Verfasser: Wang, Yi (VerfasserIn)
Weitere Verfasser: Padua, Graciela W
Format: Online-Aufsatz
Sprache:English
Veröffentlicht: 2012
Zugriff auf das übergeordnete Werk:Langmuir : the ACS journal of surfaces and colloids
Schlagworte:Journal Article Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. Zein 9010-66-6
Beschreibung
Zusammenfassung:Zein, a major protein of corn, is rich in α-helical structure. It has an amphiphilic character and is capable of self-assembly. Zein can self-assemble into various mesostructures that may find applications in food, agricultural, and biomedical engineering. Understanding the mechanism of zein self-assembly at the nanoscale is important for further development of zein structures. In this work, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images revealed nanosize zein stripes, rings, and discs containing a 0.35 nm periodicity, which is characteristic of β-sheet. TEM images were interpreted in terms of the transformation of original α-helices into β-sheet conformation after evaporation-induced self-assembly (EISA). The presence of β-sheet was also detected by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Zein β-sheets self-assembled into stripes, which curled into rings. Rings formed discs and eventually spheres. The formation of zein nanostructures was believed to be the result of β-sheet orientation, alignment, and packing
Beschreibung:Date Completed 09.07.2012
Date Revised 07.02.2012
published: Print-Electronic
Citation Status MEDLINE
ISSN:1520-5827
DOI:10.1021/la204204j