Some Thermodynamic Data on Copper-Chitin and Copper-Chitosan Biopolymer Interactions

Chitin and chitosan are good removers of cations from aqueous solution and wastewater. The interactive effect of cation with both biopolymers in aqueous medium was studied by the batch method at 298 +/- 1 K. The results were fitted to the modified Langmuir equation. The same adsorption was followed by calorimetric titration. In this process, 50.0 mg of each polymer was suspended in 19.0 cm3 of bidistilled water at 298.15 +/- 0.02 K, maintained under mechanical turbine stirring. The titration was performed by adding increments of 10 μL of 0.10 mol dm-3 Cu(NO3)2 aqueous solution to the system. The resulting isotherm was also adjusted to a modified Langmuir equation. From the thermal effects K and DeltaH values were determined, enabling the calculation of DeltaG and DeltaS for the interaction of copper cations with chitin and chitosan, giving the enthalpic values of -19.85 +/- 0.34 and -41.27 +/- 1.57 kJ mol-1, respectively. The spontaneity of this interaction is shown from DeltaG values of -35.9 +/- 0.1 and -36.8 +/- 0.1 kJ mol-1, which are followed by DeltaS values of +54 and of -15 J mol-1 K-1, respectively. The complexation is probably associated with the lack of order of the chitin polymeric chain or with the freedom of water molecules initially bonded to cations. The copper ion is coordinated to the pendant groups of the polymeric chain to form stable complexes. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.     

Comparative adsorption studies of indigo carmine dye on chitin and chitosan

The adsorption of indigo carmine dye onto chitin and chitosan from aqueous solutions was followed in a batch system. The ability of these materials to adsorb indigo carmine dye from aqueous solution was followed through a series of adsorption isotherms adjusted to a modified Langmuir equation. The maximum number of moles adsorbed was 1.24 +/- 0.16 x 10(-5) and 1.54 +/- 0.03 x 10(-4) mol g(-1) for chitin and chitosan, respectively. The same interactions were calorimetrically followed and the thermodynamic data showed exothermic enthalpic values of -40.12 +/- 3.52 and -29.25 +/- 1.93 kJ mol(-1) for chitin and chitosan, respectively. Gibbs free energies for the two adsorption processes of indigo carmine dye presented a positive value for chitin and a negative one for chitosan, reflecting that dye/surface interactions are thermodynamic favorable for chitosan and nonspontaneous for chitin at 298.15 K. The interaction processes were accompanied by an increase of entropy value for chitosan (90 +/- 6 J mol(-1)K(-1)) and a decrease for chitin (-145 +/- 13 J mol(-1)K(-1)). Thus, dye/chitosan interaction showed favorable enthalpic and entropic processes, reflecting thermodynamic stability of the formed complex, while dye/chitin interaction showed an exothermic enthalpic value and a highly nonfavorable entropic effect, resulting in a nonspontaneous thermodynamic system.     

Hybrid aniline/silica xerogel cation adsorption and thermodynamics of interaction

Aniline groups chemically immobilized on silica through the sol-gel process were employed to extract divalent nickel and manganese from aqueous solutions at room temperature. The maximum adsorption capacity of the xerogel was studied from adsorption isotherms using a batch technique. The isotherms obtained were adjusted following the Langmuir equation. The xerogel adsorbent appears to have better affinity for nickel than manganese. From calorimetric titration, thermodynamic data on cation/nitrogen basic atom interaction in the solid/liquid interface were determined. The enthalpic values, -0.46 +/- 0.02 and -.029 +/- 0.02 kJ mol(-1) for nickel and manganese, respectively, are in agreement with the low availability of the basic nitrogen atom on the aniline group and also the possible steric hindrance of the phenyl group bonded to nitrogen. However, thermodynamics indicated the existence of favorable conditions for such cation-nitrogen interactions.     

Complexation of Nickel(II) with Guanosine 5'-Monophosphate and Inosine 5'-Monophosphate: A Potentiometric and Calorimetric Study

The constants (K(s)) and enthalpies (DeltaH(s)) for stacking interactions between purine nucleoside monophosphates were determined by calorimetry; the values thus obtained were guanosine as follows: K(s) = 2.1 +/- 0.3 M(-)(1) and DeltaH(s) = -41.8 +/- 0.8 kJ/mol for adenosine 5'-monophosphate (5'AMP); K(s) = 1.5 +/- 0.3 M(-1) and DeltaH(s) = -42.0 +/- 1.5 kJ/mol for guanosine 5'-monophosphate (5'GMP); and K(s) = 1.0 +/- 0.2 M(-1) and DeltaH(s) = -42.3 +/- 1.1 kJ/mol for inosine 5'-monophosphate (5'IMP). The interaction of nickel(II) with purine nucleoside monophosphates was studied using potentiometric and calorimetric methods, with 0.1 M tetramethylammonium bromide as the background electrolyte, at 25 degrees C. The presence in solution of the complexes [Ni(5'GMP)(2)](2)(-) and [Ni(5'IMP)(2)](2)(-) was observed. The thermodynamic parameters obtained were log K(ML) = 3.04 +/- 0.02, log K(ML2) = 2.33 +/- 0.02, DeltaH(ML) = -18.4 +/- 0.9 kJ/mol and DeltaH(ML2) = -9.0 +/- 1.9 kJ/mol for 5'GMP; and log K(ML) = 2.91 +/- 0.01, log K(ML2) = 1.92 +/- 0.01, DeltaH(ML) = -16.2 +/- 0.9 kJ/mol and DeltaH(ML2) = -0.1 +/- 2.3 kJ/mol for 5'IMP. The relationships between complex enthalpies and the degree of macrochelation, as well as the stacking interaction between purine bases in the complexes are discussed in relation to previously reported calorimetric data.     

Stoichiometries and thermodynamic stabilities for aqueous sulfate complexes of U(VI)

The formation constants of UO2SO4 (aq), UO2(SO4)2(2-), and UO2(SO4)3(4-) were measured in aqueous solutions from 10 to 75 degrees C by time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS). A constant enthalpy of reaction approach was satisfactorily used to fit the thermodynamic parameters of stepwise complex formation reactions in a 0.1 M Na(+) ionic medium: log 10 K 1(25 degrees C) = 2.45 +/- 0.05, Delta r H1 = 29.1 +/- 4.0 kJ x mol(-1), log10 K2(25 degrees C) = 1.03 +/- 0.04, and Delta r H2 = 16.6 +/- 4.5 kJ x mol(-1). While the enthalpy of the UO2(SO4)2(2-) formation reaction is in good agreement with calorimetric data, that for UO2SO4 (aq) is higher than other values by a few kilojoules per mole. Incomplete knowledge of the speciation may have led to an underestimation of Delta r H1 in previous calorimetric studies. In fact, one of the published calorimetric determinations of Delta r H1 is here supported by the TRLFS results only when reinterpreted with a more correct equilibrium constant value, which shifts the fitted Delta r H1 value up by 9 kJ x mol(-1). UO2(SO 4) 3 (4-) was evidenced in a 3 M Na (+) ionic medium: log10 K3(25 degrees C) = 0.76 +/- 0.20 and Delta r H3 = 11 +/- 8 kJ x mol(-1) were obtained. The fluorescence features of the sulfate complexes were observed to depend on the ionic conditions. Changes in the coordination mode (mono- and bidentate) of the sulfate ligands may explain these observations, in line with recent structural data.     

Calorimetric studies of the association of chitin and chitosan with sodium dodecyl sulfate

The interaction of hydrophobic chitin and chitosan with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) has been studied by titration calorimetry at 298.15K. The nature of interaction of the surfactant and biopolymers was followed by enthalpy interaction profiles. The mixing enthalpy curves were determined by mixing SDS solutions above their critical micelle concentration with chitin and chitosan suspensions in different concentrations. The Gibbs free energy of aggregation values were -23.21, -22.71 and -21.53 kJ mol(-1) for chitin in 0.02, 0.05 and 0.1% concentration, respectively, and 28.30, 24.38 and 24.20 kJ mol(-1) for chitosan in 0.02, 0.05 and 0.1% concentration, respectively. The critical aggregation concentration (cac) obtained by calorimetric data gave 6.32, 7.07 and 9.14 mmol kg(-1) in 0.02, 0.05 and 0.1% concentration, respectively, for chitin and 2.09, 4.91 and 5.11 mmol kg(-1) for chitosan in 0.02, 0.05 and 0.1% concentration, respectively.     

Sorption of traces of silver ions onto polyurethane foam from acidic solution

The sorption of traces of silver ions onto polyurethane foam (PUF) has been investigated in detail. Maximum sorption of silver (K(d)=6109 cm(3) g(-1), %sorption>97.5%) has been achieved from 1 M nitric acid solution after equilibrating silver ions with approximately 29 mg PUF for 20 min. The kinetics and thermodynamics of the sorption of silver ions onto PUF have also been studied. The sorption of silver ions onto PUF follows a first-order rate equation, which results as 0.177 min(-1). The variation of sorption with temperature yields the values of DeltaH=-56.1+/-3.2 kJ mol(-1), DeltaS=-159.7+/-10.5 J mol(-1) K(-1) and DeltaG=-8.68+/-0.09 kJ mol(-1) at 298 K with a correlation factor gamma=0.9919. The sorption data were subjected to different sorption isotherms. The sorption follows Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) isotherms. The values of Langmuir isotherms Q=65.4+/-1.5 mumol g(-1) and b=(4.79+/-1.16)x10(4) dm(3) mol(-1) have been evaluated for Langmuir sorption constants, whereas the Freundlich sorption isotherm gives the value 1/n=0.12+/-0.02 and A=0.15+/-0.03 mmol g(-1). The D-R parameters computed were beta=-0.000817+/-0.000206 mol(2) kJ(-2), X(m)=76.8+/-8.7 mumol g(-1) and E=24.7+/-3.2 kJ mol(-1). The influence of common ions on the sorption was also examined. It is observed that Hg(II), thiourea, Al(III), thiocyanate and thiosulphate reduce the sorption, whereas Cu(II), citrate and acetate ions enhance the sorption significantly. It can be concluded that PUF may be used to remove traces of silver ions from its very dilute solutions or for its preconcentration from aqueous acidic solutions.     

Interaction of indigo carmine dye with chitosan evaluated by adsorption and thermochemical data

Chitosan can use its protonated amine groups to adsorb strongly anionic species from diluted solutions. In this work, adsorption and thermochemical data on the interaction of the dye indigo carmine with chitosan in aqueous medium were found, in order to obtain new adsorption data on this relatively unexplored chitosan field. The studies were carried out by the batch method from 35 to 50 degrees C. The adsorption results were well fitted to both Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption models. The increase in the temperature decreased the adsorption of the dye. The enthalpy of interaction, when a monolayer of the dye was formed on the chitosan surface, delta(int)H, of -23.2 kJ mol(-1) was encountered for all temperature ranges studied. The spontaneity of the interaction is indicated by the delta(int)G values from -9.1 to -8.2 kJ mol(-1). Other thermodynamic quantities were also calculated and are discussed.     

Thioglycolic acid grafted onto silica gel and its properties in relation to extracting cations from ethanolic solution determined by calorimetric technique

Thioglycolic acid was immobilized onto silica gel surface using 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane as precursor silylating agent to yield silica. The amount of thioglycolic acid immobilized was 1.03 mmol per gram of silica. This new surface displayed a chelating moiety containing nitrogen, sulfur, and oxygen basic centers which are potentially capable of extracting cations from ethanolic solution, such as MCl3 ( M=Fe, Cr, and Mo). This process of extraction was carried out by the batch method when similar chemisorption isotherms were observed for all cations. The data were adjusted to a modified Langmuir equation. The sequence of the maximum retention capacity was Cr(III) > Mo(III) > Fe(III). The same adsorption was determined by calorimetric titration and the enthalpic values of -35.75 +/- 0.02, 32.90 +/- 0.15, and -84.08 +/- 0.12 kJmol(-1) for chromium, molybdenum, and iron, respectively, were obtained. From the calculated Gibbs free energy -23.4 +/- 0.2, -27.2 +/- 0.2, and -32.7 +/- 0.3 kJmol(-1), the variations in entropy obtained were 42 +/- 1, 201 +/- 1, 172 +/- 1 JK(-1)mol(-1) for the same sequence. All thermodynamic values are in agreement with the spontaneity of the proposed cation-basic center interactions for these chelating processes.     

Adsorption and thermodynamic characteristics of Hg(II)-SCN complex onto polyurethane foam

The sorption of Hg(II) in the presence of sodium thiocyanate solution onto polyurethane (PUR) foam, an excellent sorbent, has been investigated in detail. Maximum sorption of Hg(II) is achieved from 0.1 M hydrochloric acid solution containing 7.5x10(-2) M sodium thiocyanate in 5 min. The sorption data followed both Freundlich and Langmuir adsorption isotherms. The Freundlich constants 1/n and sorption capacity, C(m), are evaluated to be 0.44+/-0.02 and (3.86+/-0.89)x10(-3) mol g(-1). The saturation capacity and adsorption constant derived from Langmuir isotherm are (6.88+/-0.28)x10(-5) mol g(-1) and (5.6+/-0.37)x10(4) dm(3) mol(-1) respectively. The mean free energy (E) of Hg(II)-SCN sorption onto PUR foam computed from D-R isotherm is 12.4+/-0.3 kJ mol(-1) indicating ion-exchange type mechanism of chemisorption. The variation of sorption with temperature yields thermodynamic parameters of DeltaH=-30.7+/-1.2 kJ mol(-1), DeltaS=-70.1+/-4.1 J mol(-1) K(-1) and DeltaG=-9.86+/-0.77 kJ mol(-1) at 298 K. The negative value of enthalpy and free energy reflects the exothermic and spontaneous nature of sorption. On the basis of the sorption data, sorption mechanism has been proposed.     

Energetics of hydroxybenzoic acids and of the corresponding carboxyphenoxyl radicals. Intramolecular hydrogen bonding in 2-hydroxybenzoic acid

The energetics of the phenolic O-H bond in the three hydroxybenzoic acid isomers and of the intramolecular hydrogen O-H- - -O-C bond in 2-hydroxybenzoic acid, 2-OHBA, were investigated by using a combination of experimental and theoretical methods. The standard molar enthalpies of formation of monoclinic 3- and 4-hydroxybenzoic acids, at 298.15 K, were determined as Delta(f)(3-OHBA, cr) = -593.9 +/- 2.0 kJ x mol(-1) and Delta(f)(4-OHBA, cr) = -597.2 +/- 1.4 kJ x mol(-1), by combustion calorimetry. Calvet drop-sublimation calorimetric measurements on monoclinic samples of 2-, 3-, and 4-OHBA, led to the following enthalpy of sublimation values at 298.15 K: Delta(sub)(2-OHBA) = 94.4 +/- 0.4 kJ x mol(-1), Delta(sub)(3-OHBA) = 118.3 +/- 1.1 kJ x mol(-1), and Delta(sub)(4-OHBA) = 117.0 +/- 0.5 kJ x mol(-1). From the obtained Delta(f)(cr) and Delta(sub) values and the previously reported enthalpy of formation of monoclinic 2-OHBA (-591.7 +/- 1.3 kJ x mol(-1)), it was possible to derive Delta(f)(2-OHBA, g) = -497.3 +/- 1.4 kJ x mol(-1), Delta(f)(3-OHBA, g) = -475.6 +/- 2.3 kJ x mol(-1), and Delta(f)(4-OHBA, cr) = -480.2 +/- 1.5 kJ x mol(-1). These values, together with the enthalpies of isodesmic and isogyric gas-phase reactions predicted by density functional theory (B3PW91/aug-cc-pVDZ, MPW1PW91/aug-cc-pVDZ, and MPW1PW91/aug-cc-pVTZ) and the CBS-QMPW1 methods, were used to derive the enthalpies of formation of the gaseous 2-, 3-, and 4-carboxyphenoxyl radicals as (2-HOOCC(6)H(4)O(*), g) = -322.5 +/- 3.0 kJ.mol(-1) Delta(f)(3-HOOCC(6)H(4)O(*), g) = -310.0 +/- 3.0 kJ x mol(-1), and Delta(f)(4-HOOCC(6)H(4)O(*), g) = -318.2 +/- 3.0 kJ x mol(-1). The O-H bond dissociation enthalpies in 2-OHBA, 3-OHBA, and 4-OHBA were 392.8 +/- 3.3, 383.6 +/- 3.8, and 380.0 +/- 3.4 kJ x mol(-1), respectively. Finally, by using the ortho-para method, it was found that the H- - -O intramolecular hydrogen bond in the 2-carboxyphenoxyl radical is 25.7 kJ x mol(-1), which is ca. 6-9 kJ x mol(-1) above the one estimated in its parent (2-OHBA), viz. 20.2 kJ x mol(-1) (theoretical) or 17.1 +/- 2.1 kJ x mol(-1) (experimental).     

Maleic anhydride incorporated onto cellulose and thermodynamics of cation-exchange process at the solid/liquid interface

This investigation explores the chemical modification of cellulose by using a quasi solvent-free procedure, in which the biopolymer was added to molten maleic anhydride, producing a mixture of maleated and fumarated celluloses. Using this pathway mainly surface modifications are observed and more than 2.82 ± 0.05 mmol of modifier per gram of synthesized polymer were obtained. These chemically modified materials were characterized by elemental analysis, solid-state ¹³C NMR CP/MAS, FTIR, XRD, TG and SEM. The chemically modified polysaccharides are able to adsorb cations. The data were adjusted to a modified Langmuir equation to give 1.75 ± 0.09 and 2.40 ± 0.12 mmol/g of Co²⁺ and Ni²⁺, respectively. The net thermal effects obtained from calorimetric titration measurements were also adjusted to a modified Langmuir equation and the enthalpy of the interaction was calculated to give the endothermic values of 0.29 ± 0.02 and 0.87 ± 0.02 kJ/mol for Co²⁺ and Ni²⁺, respectively. The thermodynamic data for these systems are favorable for cation adsorption from aqueous solutions at the solid/liquid interface, suggesting the use of this anchored biopolymer for cation removal from the environment.     

The aromaticity of pyracylene: an experimental and computational study of the energetics of the hydrogenation of acenaphthylene and pyracylene

In this work, the aromaticity of pyracylene (2) was investigated from an energetic point of view. The standard enthalpy of hydrogenation of acenaphthylene (1) to acenaphthene (3) at 298.15 K was determined to be minus sign(114.5 +/- 4.2) kJ x mol(-1) in toluene solution and minus sign(107.9 +/- 4.2) kJ x mol(-1) in the gas phase, by combining results of combustion and reaction-solution calorimetry. A direct calorimetric measurement of the standard enthalpy of hydrogenation of pyracylene (2) to pyracene (4) in toluene at 298.15 K gave -(249.9 plus minus 4.6) kJ x mol(-1). The corresponding enthalpy of hydrogenation in the gas phase, computed from the Delta(f)H(o)m(cr) and DeltaH(o)m(sub) values obtained in this work for 2 and 4, was -(236.0 +/- 7.0) kJ x mol(-1). Molecular mechanics calculations (MM3) led to Delta(hyd)H(o)m(1,g) = -110.9 kJ x mol(-1) and Delta(hyd)H(o)m(2,g) = -249.3 kJ x mol(-1) at 298.15 K. Density functional theory calculations [B3LYP/6-311+G(3d,2p)//B3LYP/6-31G(d)] provided Delta(hyd)H(o)m(2,g) = -(244.6 +/- 8.9) kJ x mol(-1) at 298.15 K. The results are put in perspective with discussions concerning the "aromaticity" of pyracylene. It is concluded that, on energetic grounds, pyracylene is a borderline case in terms of aromaticity/antiaromaticity character.     

Kinetics and thermodynamics of copper(II) binding to apoazurin

The binding of copper(II) to apoazurin has been probed by isothermal titration calorimetry in cholamine buffer at pH 7.0. The standard enthalpy change was determined to be -10.0 +/- 1.4 kcal/mol. Each calorimetric trace reveals an initial exothermic phase followed by an endothermic phase. The calorimetric data could be fit to a kinetic model involving a bimolecular combination of copper(II) and apoazurin in an exothermic process (k = 2 +/-1 x 103 M-1 s-1, DeltaH degrees = -19 +/- 3 kcal/mol) to form an intermediate that spontaneously converts to Cu(II)-azurin in an endothermic process (k = 0.024 +/- 0.01 s-1, DeltaH degrees = +9 +/- 3 kcal/mol). These data suggest that copper(II) first combines with apoazurin in an irreversible process to form an intermediate that converts to copper(II)-azurin in a process driven by the release of water. The overall standard free energy of copper(II) binding to apoazurin is estimated to be -18.8 kcal/mol.     

壳聚糖亚铁螯合物的合成及吸附动力学

亚铁离子;配合物;螯合物;壳聚糖亚铁螯合物的合成及吸附动力学     

The removal of uranium(VI) from aqueous solutions onto activated carbon: kinetic and thermodynamic investigations

The adsorption of uranium(VI) from aqueous solutions onto activated carbon has been studied using a batch adsorber. The parameters that affect the uranium(VI) adsorption, such as contact time, solution pH, initial uranium(VI) concentration, and temperature, have been investigated and optimized conditions determined (contact time 240 min; pH 3.0+/-0.1; initial uranium concentration 100 mg/L; temperature 293.15 K). The experimental data were analyzed using sorption kinetic models (pseudo-first- and pseudo-second-order equations) to determine the equation that fits best our experimental results. Equilibrium isotherm studies were used to evaluate the maximum sorption capacity of activated carbon and experimental results showed this to be 28.30 mg/g. The Freundlich, Langmuir, and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) models have been applied and the data correlate well with Freundlich model and that the sorption is physical in nature (the activation energy Ea=7.91 kJ/mol). Thermodynamic parameters (DeltaHads0=-50.53 kJ/mol, DeltaSads0=-98.76 J/mol K, DeltaGads(293.15 K)0=-21.61 kJ/mol) showed the exothermic heat of adsorption and the feasibility of the process.     

Superstructure based on β-CD self-assembly induced by a small guest molecule

The size, shape and surface chemistry of nanoparticles play an important role in cellular interaction. Thus, the main objective of the present study was the determination of the β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) self-assembly thermodynamic parameters and its structure, aiming to use these assemblies as a possible controlled drug release system. Light scattering measurements led us to obtain the β-CD's critical aggregation concentration (cac) values, and consequently the thermodynamic parameters of the β-CD spontaneous self-assembly in aqueous solution: Δ(agg)G(o) = -16.31 kJ mol(-1), Δ(agg)H(o) = -26.48 kJ mol(-1) and TΔ(agg)S(o) = -10.53 kJ mol(-1) at 298.15 K. Size distribution of the self-assembled nanoparticles below and above cac was 1.5 nm and 60-120 nm, respectively. The number of β-CD molecules per cluster and the second virial coefficient were identified through Debye's plot and molecular dynamic simulations proposed the three-fold assembly for this system below cac. Ampicillin (AMP) was used as a drug model in order to investigate the key role of the guest molecule in the self-assembly process and the β-CD:AMP supramolecular system was studied in solution, aiming to determine the structure of the supramolecular aggregate. Results obtained in solution indicated that the β-CD's cac was not affected by adding AMP. Moreover, different complex stoichiometries were identified by nuclear magnetic resonance and isothermal titration calorimetry experiments.     

The reaction of protonated dimethyl ether with dimethyl ether: temperature and isotope effects on the methyl cation transfer reaction forming trimethyloxonium cation and methanol.

Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry has been used to study the temperature and deuterium isotope effects on the methyl cation transfer reaction between protonated dimethyl ether and dimethyl ether to produce trimethyloxonium cation and methanol. From the temperature dependence of this bimolecular reaction it was possible to obtain thermodynamic information concerning the energy barrier for methyl cation transfer for the first time. From the slope of an Arrhenius plot, a value for DeltaH(++) of -1.1 +/- 1.2 kJ mol(-1) was obtained, while from the intercept a value for DeltaS(++) of -116 +/- 15 J K(-1) mol(-1) was derived. This yields a DeltaG(++)(298) value of 33.7 +/- 2.1 kJ mol(-1). All thermodynamic values were in good agreement with ab initio calculations. Rate constant ratios for the unimolecular dissociation forming trimethyloxonium cation and the dissociation re-forming reactants were extracted from the apparent bimolecular rate constant. Attempts at modeling the temperature dependence and isotope effects of the unimolecular dissociation forming trimethyloxonium cation were also made.     

Large-scale millisecond intersubunit dynamics in the B subunit homopentamer of the toxin derived from Escherichia coli O157

We report here solution NMR relaxation measurements that show millisecond time-scale intersubunit dynamics in the homopentameric B subunit (VTB) of the toxin derived from Escherichia coli O157. These data are consistent with interconversion between an axially symmetric form and a low-abundance ( approximately 10%, 45 degrees C) higher energy form. The higher energy state is depopulated on binding of a novel bivalent analogue (P(k) dimer) of the natural carbohydrate acceptor globotriaosylceramide. The isothermal titration calorimetry isotherm for the binding of P(k) dimer to VTB is consistent with a five-site sequential binding model which assumes that cooperative effects arise through communication only between neighboring binding sites. The resulting thermodynamic parameters (K(a1) = 114 +/- 2.2 M(-1), K(a2) = 283 +/- 4.5 M(-1), DeltaH(1) degrees = -116.3 +/- 0.55 kJ/mol, and DeltaH(2) degrees = -50.3 +/- 0.11 kJ/mol) indicate favorable entropic cooperativity that has not previously been observed in multivalent systems.     

Study of the interaction of indirubin with bovine serum albumin

This study examined the interaction of indirubin with bovine serum albumin (BSA) at three temperatures (286, 297, 308 K) at pH 7.40. In the presence of indirubin, the drug-BSA binding mode, binding constant and the protein structure changes in aqueous solution were determined by fluorescence quenching methods including Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The FT-IR change indicates that indirubin binds to BSA. The change in protein secondary structure accompanying ligand binding has been proved by fluorescence spectra data. The thermodynamic parameters, the enthalpy change (DeltaH), and the entropy change (DeltaS) calculated by the van't Hoff equation possess small negative (-2.744 kJ.mol(-1)) and positive values (112.756 J.mol(-1).K(-1)), respectively, which indicated that hydrophobic interactions play the main role in the binding of indirubin to BSA. Furthermore, the displacement experiment shows that indirubin can bind to the subdomain IIA and the distance between the tryptophan residues in BSA and indirubin bound to site I was estimated to be 2.24 nm according to F?ster's equation on the basis of fluorescence energy transfer.