Supersaturation

Engineering

Nanoparticle

Biology

Chromatography

Ovalbumin

Globular protein

Biochemistry

Molecule

Chemical engineering

Immunology

Polymer

Biopolymer

Coacervate

Organic chemistry

Immune system

Hydrophobic effect

Enzyme

Zeta potential

Isoelectric point

Crystallography

Chemistry

Hydrogen bond

Lysozyme

International Journal of Biological Macromolecules

The formation of heteroprotein coacervates obtained by the interaction of ovalbumin (Ova) and lysozyme (Lys) was investigated using turbidimetric analysis and the zeta potential at different protein ratios, pH values and concentrations of NaCl. The complexes were formed over a wide pH range with a 1:1 (Ova:Lys) ratio and the highest turbidity was observed at pH 7.5, which optimal biopolymer interactions occurring. The addition of NaCl disfavored formation, even at low concentrations, and suppressed it at 300mM. The complex coacervate formation occurred in the region between the isoelectric points (pI) of the proteins, predominantly by electrostatic interactions but with participation of hydrogen bonds. The structures formed had an average size of ∼2μm, which was well above the isolated proteins, and microscopic analysis revealed that the complexes had a globular structure. The interaction was exothermic and spontaneous with a favorable entropic and unfavorable entropic contribution during interaction.

Heteroprotein complex coacervates of ovalbumin and lysozyme: Formation and thermodynamic characterization