Thermal analysis of protein-metallic ion systems

Xiao Hu, David Kaplan, Peggy Cebe

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Scopus citations

Abstract

Advanced thermal analysis methods, such as temperature modulated DSC (differential scanning calorimetry) and quasi-isothermal TMDSC were used to analyze the protein-metallic ion interactions in silk fibroin proteins. The precise heat capacities were measured and theoretically predicted in this study. To remove bound water and simplify the system, a thermal cycling treatment through both standard DSC and TMDSC was used to detect the underlying heat capacity and reveal the phase transitions of the silk-metallic salts system. Results show that K+ metallic salts play the role of plasticizer in silk fibroin proteins, which reduces the glass transition (Tg) of the pure silk protein and negatively affects its structural thermal stability. On the other hand, Ca2+ metallic salts act as an anti-plasticizer, and increase the glass transition and the thermal stability of the silk protein structure. This indicates that the thermal analysis methods offer a new pathway to study protein-metallic ion systems, yielding very fruitful information for the study of protein structures in the future.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)827-834
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry
Volume96
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2009
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Materials Chemistry
  • Polymers and Plastics
  • General Dentistry
  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry

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