Biocatalytic Self-Assembly of Tripeptide Gels and Emulsions

We report on the biocatalytic activation of a self-assembling (unprotected) tripeptide to stabilize oil-in-water emulsions on-demand. This is achieved by the conversion of a phosphorylated precursor into a hydrogelator using alkaline phosphatase (AP) as the trigger. The rate of conversion, controlled by the amount of enzyme used, is shown to play a key role in dictating the morphology of the nanofibrous networks produced. When these amphiphilic...