Fast and efficient adsorption/desorption of protein by a novel magnetic nano-adsorbent

A novel magnetic nano-adsorbent was prepared by covalently binding polyacrylic acid (PAA) on Fe₃O₄ superparamagnetic nanoparticles (13.2 nm) via carbodiimide activation. The maximum weight ratio of PAA to Fe₃O₄ was 0.12 (i.e., average of two PAA molecules on a magnetic nanoparticle). The magnetic nano-adsorbent possessed a high ionic exchange capacity of 1.64 meq g^–1 and was efficient for the recovery of lysozyme. The lysozyme could be completely adsorbed in 0.1 M phosphate buffer at pH 3–5 and completely desorbed in NaSCN solution (>1 M) within 1 min, and retained 95% activity after adsorption/desorption. In addition, the adsorption behavior followed the Langmuir adsorption isotherm with a maximum adsorption amount of 0.224 mg mg^–1 and a Langmuir adsorption equilibrium constant of 10 ml mg^–1 at 25 °C. The change of enthalpy at 15–35 °C was –4.2 kJ ml mol^–1 mg^–1.     

Affinity separation of immunoglobulin G subclasses on dye attached poly(hydroxypropyl methacrylate) beads

Poly(hydroxypropyl methacrylate) [poly(HPMA)] gel beads with an average size of 150–200 μm were prepared by suspension polymerization of hydroxypropyl methacrylate (HPMA). The poly(HPMA) gel beads were characterized by swelling studies, surface area measurements, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and elemental analysis. Poly(HPMA) gel beads had a specific surface area of 88.6 m²/g. The dye Reactive Green HE 4BD was chemically attached to yield dye-poly(HPMA) gel beads at an average concentration of 44.3 μmol dye/g bead with a swelling ratio of 75%. These dye attached gel beads were used in the separation of immunoglobulin-G (IgG) through adsorption–elution studies. The non-specific adsorption of IgG on the poly(HPMA) gel beads was 0.5 mg/g. The attachment of Reactive Green HE 4BD significantly increased the adsorption of IgG up to 71 mg/g. The Langmuir adsorption model was found to be applicable in interpretation of data pertaining to the adsorption studies of IgG with Reactive Green HE 4BD attached to the poly(HPMA) gel beads. The adsorption of IgG was found to be optimal at pH 7.0. The adsorption of IgG was observed to decrease by about 76% as the NaCl concentration was increased from 0.001 to 0.1 M. The IgG adsorption capacity of the dye attached poly(HPMA) gel beads was determined for a commercially available IgG solution to be 4.2 mg/g for IgG₁, 64.5 mg/g for IgG₂, 7.1 mg/g for IgG₃ and 10.8 mg/g for IgG₄. The Reactive Green HE 4BD attached poly(HPMA) gel beads have a significant adsorption capacity for IgG₂. The quantity of adsorbed IgG₂ is three times higher than the quantity of the other subclasses, IgG₁, IgG₃ and IgG₄. A similar adsorption behaviour was observed when the albumin free human plasma was used. The quantity of adsorbed IgG₂ is higher than the quantity of the other subclasses, IgG₁, IgG₃ and IgG₄. Adsorption capacities for albumin free human plasma were obtained as 6.4 mg/g for IgG₁, 67.8 mg/g for IgG₂, 5.2 mg/g for IgG₃ and 8.6 mg/g for IgG₄. Significant amount of the adsorbed IgG (up to 95%) was eluted in 1 h in the elution medium containing 2.0 M NaCl. Repeated adsorption/elution processes showed that these dye attached gel beads are suitable for IgG adsorption.     

Purification of sugar beet vinasse - adsorption of polyphenolic and dark colored compounds on different commercial activated carbons

The adsorption on activated carbons of dark colored compounds contained in sugar beet vinasse was studied. Four commercial activated carbons with different properties (particle size, residual acidity and microporous properties) were respectively checked for efficiency at two temperature levels (25 °C and 40 °C) and at four pH levels (2, 3.5, 7, 10). The adsorption of organic molecules was determined by quantifying the amounts of total polyphenolic compounds and total organic carbon. The results showed that the adsorption capacity of dark colored compounds was enhanced by the decrease in both temperature and pH values of the solution. In this study, it is shown that this capacity depends on activated carbon characteristics which can be classified in the following order: particle size > residual acidity > microporous volume. Three models (Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin–Radushkevich) were tested from experimental data and compared. The Langmuir model provided the best correlation on all the activated carbons studied.     

Methacryloylamidohistidine in affinity ligands for immobilized metal-ion affinity chromatography of ferritin

A new metal-chelate adsorbent utilizing 2-methacryloylamidohistidine (MAH) was prepared as a metalchelating ligand. MAH was synthesized using methacryloly chloride and histidine. Monosize nanospheres with an average diameter of 450 nm were produced by emulsion polymerization of 2-hydroxyetylmethacrylate (HEMA) and MAH. Then, Fe³⁺ ions were chelated directly onto the monosize nanospheres. Mon-poly(HEMA-MAH) nanospheres were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and elemental analysis. Fe³⁺ chelated monosize nanospheres were used in ferritin adsorption from an aqueous solution. The maximum ferritin adsorption capacity of Fe³⁺-chelated mon-poly(HEMAMAH) nanospheres was 202 mg/g at pH 4.0 in acetate buffer. The non-specific ferritin adsorption on the monpoly( HEMA-MAH) nanospheres was 20 mg/g. The adsorption behavior of ferritin could be modeled using both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. The adsorption capacity decreased with increasing ionic strength of the binding buffer. High desorption ratios (> 95% of the adsorbed ferritin) were achieved with 1.0 M NaCl at pH 7.0. Ferritin could be repeatedly adsorbed and desorbed with the Fe³⁺-chelated mon-poly(HEMA-MAH) nanospheres without significant loss of adsorption capacity.     

Batch and continuous adsorption of strontium by plant root tissues

Strontium (Sr) ions in aqueous solutions could be adsorbed by root tissue powders of Amaranthus spinosus, a common weed found in the fields. The adsorption isotherm could be fitted by either the Langmuir or the Freundlich model with the maximum adsorption capacity being 12.89 mg/g from the Langmuir isotherm. The maximum adsorption capacity of the biosorbent decreased with increasing temperature, whereas alkaline pretreatment enhanced the adsorption capacity 1.9 fold. Alginate gel beads (1 mm diameter) containing the root tissue powders were prepared and packed in a column for continuous adsorption/desorption of Sr in solution. Efficient desorption of Sr could be carried out with 0.1 CaCl₂ to give a concentrated Sr solution with 94% recovery.     

Biosorption of copper by marine algae Gelidium and algal composite material in a packed bed column

Marine algae Gelidium and algal composite material were investigated for the continuous removal of Cu(II) from aqueous solution in a packed bed column. The biosorption behaviour was studied during one sorption–desorption cycle of Cu(II) in the flow through column fed with 50 and 25 mg l⁻¹ of Cu(II) in aqueous solution, at pH 5.3, leading to a maximum uptake capacity of ≈13 and 3 mg g⁻¹, respectively, for algae Gelidium and composite material. The breakthrough time decreases as the inlet copper concentration increases, for the same flow rate. The pH of the effluent decreases over the breakthrough time of copper ions, which indicates that ion exchange is one of the mechanisms involved in the biosorption process. Temperature has little influence on the metal uptake capacity and the increase of the ionic strength reduces the sorption capacity, decreasing the breakthrough time. Desorption using 0.1 M HNO₃ solution was 100% effective. After two consecutive sorption–desorption cycles no changes in the uptake capacity of the composite material were observed. A mass transfer model including film and intraparticle resistances, and the equilibrium relationship, for adsorption and desorption, was successfully applied for the simulation of the biosorption column performance.     

Immobilization of hemoglobin on electrodeposited cobalt-oxide nanoparticles: direct voltammetry and electrocatalytic activity

Cyclic voltammetry at potential range − 1.1 to 0.5 V from aqueous buffer solution (pH 7) containing CoCl₂ produced a well defined cobalt oxide (CoOx) nanoparticles deposited on the surface of glassy carbon electrode. The morphology of the modified surface and cobalt oxide formation was examined with SEM and cyclic voltammetry techniques. Hemoglobin (Hb) was successfully immobilized in cobalt-oxide nanoparticles modified glassy carbon electrode. Immobilization of hemoglobin onto cobalt oxide nanoparticles have been investigated by cyclic voltammetry and UV–visible spectroscopy. The entrapped protein can take direct electron transfer in cobalt-oxide film. A pair of well defined, quasi-reversible cyclic voltammetric peaks at about − 0.08 V vs. SCE (pH 7), characteristic of heme redox couple (Fe(III)/Fe(II)) of hemoglobin, and the response showed surface controlled electrode process. The dependence of formal potential (E^0′) on the solution pH (56 mV pH^− 1) indicated that the direct electron transfer reaction of hemoglobin was a one-electron transfer coupled with a one proton transfer reaction process. The average surface coverage of Hb immobilized on the cobalt oxide nanoparticles was about 5.2536 × 10^− 11 mol cm^− 2_, indicating high loading ability of nanoparticles for hemoglobin entrapment. The heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant (k_s) was 1.43 s^− 1, indicating great of facilitation of the electron transfer between Hb and electrodeposited cobalt oxide nanoparticles. Modified electrode exhibits a remarkable electrocatalytic activity for the reduction of hydrogen peroxide and oxygen. The Michaels–Menten constant K_m of 0.38 mM, indicating that the Hb immobilized onto cobalt oxide film retained its peroxidases activity. The biosensor exhibited a fast amperometric response < 5 s, a linear response over a wide concentration range 5 μM to 700 μM and a low detection limit 0.5 μM. According to the direct electron transfer property and enhanced activity of Hb in cobalt oxide film, a third generation reagentless biosensor without using any electron transfer mediator or specific reagent can be constructed for determination of hydrogen peroxide in anaerobic solutions.     

Study on adsorption of Cu(II) by water-insoluble starch phosphate carbamate

Crosslinked starch phosphate carbamates were prepared and used to adsorb Cu(II) ions from an aqueous solution. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to investigate the changes in the starch granule structure before and after adsorption. Batch adsorption experiments were carried out as a function of adsorption time, adsorbents dose, pH, substitute groups' content, initial Cu(II) ions concentrations, and temperature. The results reveal that 20 min of adsorption time is sufficient for reaching the adsorption equilibrium, the adsorption of Cu(II) ions on crosslinked starch phosphate carbamate is endothermic in nature, and the adsorption equilibrium data correlate well with the Langmuir isotherm model with the maximum adsorption capacity of 1.60 mmol/g. Moreover, the adsorbed Cu(II) ions can be desorbed by treating with HCl solution and the desorption percentage reached above 96% when desorbing with 1 N HCl solution for 1 h.     

Colorimetric determination of urinary adenosine using aptamer-modified gold nanoparticles

This paper describes a colorimetric sensing approach for the determination of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) using aptamer-modified gold nanoparticles (Apt-Au NPs). In the absence of the analytes, the color of the Apt-Au NPs solution changed from wine-red to purple as a result of salt-induced aggregation. Binding of the analytes to the Apt-Au NPs induced folding of the aptamers on the Au NP surfaces into four-stranded tetraplex structures (G-quartet) and/or an increase in charge density. As a result, the Apt-Au NPs solution was wine-red in color in the presence of the analytes under high salt conditions. For mixtures of ATP (20.0–100.0 nM), Apt-Au NPs (3.0 nM), 10.0% poly(ethylene glycol), 0.2 μM TOTO-3, 150.0 mM NaCl, 15.0 mM KCl, and 16.0 mM Tris–HCl (pH 7.4), a linear correlation (R² = 0.99) existed between the ratio of the extinctions of the Apt-Au NPs at 650 and 520 nm (Ex_650/520) and the concentration of ATP. The limit of detection for ATP was 10.0 nM. The practicality of this simple, sensitive, specific, and cost-effective approach was demonstrated through the determination of the concentration of adenosine in urine samples.     

Vinyl imidazole carrying metal-chelated beads for reversible use in yeast invertase adsorption

Poly(ethylene glycol dimethacrylate-n-vinyl imidazole) [poly(EGDMA–VIM)] hydrogel (average diameter 150–200 μm) was prepared copolymerizing ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) with n-vinyl imidazole (VIM). Poly(EGDMA–VIM) beads had a specific surface area of 59.8 m²/g. Poly(EGDMA–VIM) beads were characterized by swelling studies and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Cu²⁺ ions were chelated on the poly(EGDMA–VIM) beads (452 μmol Cu²⁺/g), then the metal-chelated beads were used in the adsorption of yeast invertase in a batch system. The maximum invertase adsorption capacity of the poly(EGDMA–VIM)–Cu²⁺ beads was observed as 35.2 mg/g at pH 4.5. The adsorption isotherm of the poly(EGDMA–VIM)–Cu²⁺ beads can be well fitted to the Langmuir model. Adsorption kinetics data were tested using pseudo-first- and -second-order models. Kinetic studies showed that the adsorption followed a pseudo-second-order reaction. The value of the Michaelis constant K_m of invertase was significantly larger upon adsorption, indicating decreased affinity by the enzyme for its substrate, whereas V_max was smaller for the adsorbed invertase. The optimum temperature for the adsorbed preparation of poly(EGDMA–VIM)–Cu²⁺-invertase at 50 °C, 10 °C higher than that of the free enzyme at 40 °C. Storage stability was found to increase with adsorption. Adsorbed invertase retains an activity of 82% after 10 batch successive reactions, demonstrating the usefulness of the enzyme-loaded beads in biocatalytic applications.     

Cadmium biosorption by Streptomyces pimprina waste biomass

Biosorption of cadmium from solution was studied using a hamycin-producing Streptomyces pimprina waste biomass. Mycelial pretreatments with 80% ethanol increased the uptake of cadmium threefold. The rate of uptake of the metal was maximum in the first 10 min and the equilibration of the system was achieved after 60 min. At pH 2.0 there was no adsorption of cadmium; however, as the pH of the solution increased, a rise in the adsorption could be noticed, which peaked at pH 5.0. The uptake of cadmium was found to increase linearly as a function of cadmium concentration up to 500 mg/l. The data could be fitted to Freundlich and Langmuir models for absorption processes. A 0.1 M EDTA solution could desorb cadmium loaded on S. pimprina biomass with the highest efficiency.     

Adsorption of bovin serum albumin (BSA) onto the magnetic chitosan nanoparticles prepared by a microemulsion system

The adsorption characteristics of BSA onto the magnetic chitosan nanoparticles have been investigated in this paper. The magnetic chitosan nanoparticles were prepared by adding the basic precipitant of NaOH solution into a W/O microemulsion system. The morphology of magnetic chitosan nanoparticles was observed by transmission electron microscope (TEM). It was found that the diameter of magnetic chitosan nanoparticles was from 10nm to 20 nm, and the nanoparticles suspending in the aqueous solution could easily aggregate by a magnet, which suggested that the nanoparticles had good magnetic characteristics. The BSA adsorption experiment indicated that when pH of BSA solution was equal to 4, the maximum adsorption loading reached 110 mg/g. Through measuring the zeta potential of BSA solution and the magnetic nanoparticles, it was found that under this situation the surface of BSA took the negative charge, but the magnetic nanoparticles took the positive charge. Due to the small diameter, the adsorption equilibrium of BSA onto the nanoparticles reached very quickly within 10 min. The adsorption equilibrium of BSA onto the magnetic chitosan nanoparticles fitted well with the Freundlich model. The experimental results showed that the magnetic chitosan nanoparticles have potential to be used for the quick pretreatment in the protein analysis process.     

Separation of lysozyme using superparamagnetic carboxymethyl chitosan nanoparticles

Functionalized Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles conjugated with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and carboxymethyl chitosan (CM-CTS) were developed and used as a novel magnetic absorbing carrier for the separation and purification of lysozyme from the aqueous solution and chicken egg white, respectively. The morphology of magnetic CM-CTS nanoparticles was observed by transmission electron microscope (TEM). It was found that the diameter of superparamagnetic carboxymethyl chitosan nanoparticles (Fe(3)O(4) (PEG+CM-CTS)) was about 15 nm, and could easily aggregate by a magnet when suspending in the aqueous solution. The adsorption capacity of lysozyme onto the superparamagnetic Fe(3)O(4) (PEG+CM-CTS) nanoparticles was determined by changing the medium pH, temperature, ionic strength and the concentration of lysozyme. The maximum adsorption loading reached 256.4 mg/g. Due to the small diameter, the adsorption equilibrium of lysozyme onto the nanoparticles reached very quickly within 20 min. The adsorption equilibrium of lysozyme onto the superparamagnetic nanoparticles fitted well with the Langmuir model. The nanoparticles were stable when subjected to six repeated adsorption-elution cycles. Separation and purification were monitored by determining the lysozyme activity using Micrococcus lysodeikticus as substrate. The lysozyme was purified from chicken egg white in a single step had higher purity, as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Considering that the superparamagnetic nanoparticles possess the advantages of high efficiency, cost-effectiveness and excellent binding of a larger amount of lysozyme and easier separation from the reaction system, thus this type of superparamagnetic nanoparticles would bring advantages to the conventional separation techniques of lysozyme from chicken egg white.     

Adsorption of Cr(VI) and As(V) ions by modified magnetic chitosan chelating resin

Cross-linked magnetic chitosan anthranilic acid glutaraldehyde Schiff's base (CAGS) was prepared for adsorption of both As(V) and Cr(VI) ions and their determination by ICP-OES. Prepared cross-linked magnetic CAGS was investigated by means of SEM, FTIR, wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXRD) and TGA analysis. The adsorption properties of cross-linked magnetic CAGS resin toward both As(V) and Cr(VI) were evaluated. Various factors affecting the uptake behavior such as pH, temperature, contact time, initial concentration of metal ions, effect of other ions and desorption were studied. The equilibrium was achieved after about 110 min and 120 min for As(V) and Cr(VI), respectively at pH = 2. The adsorption kinetics followed the mechanism of the pseudo-second order equation for all systems studied, evidencing chemical sorption as the rate-limiting step of adsorption mechanism and not involving a mass transfer in solution. The equilibrium data were analyzed using the Langmuir, Freundlich, and Tempkin isotherm models. The best interpretation for the equilibrium data was given by Langmuir isotherm, and the maximum adsorption capacities were 58.48 and 62.42 mg/g for both Cr(VI) and As(V), respectively. Cross-linked magnetic CAGS displayed higher adsorption capacity for Cr(VI). The adsorption capacity of the metal ions increased with increasing temperature under optimum conditions in case of Cr(VI), but decreased in case of As(V). The metal ion-loaded cross-linked magnetic CAGS were regenerated with an efficiency of greater than 88% using 0.2 M sodium hydroxide (NaOH).     

Removal of molybdate from water by adsorption onto ZnCl2 activated coir pith carbon

Removal and recovery of molybdate from aqueous solution was investigated using ZnCl2 activated carbon developed from coir pith. Studies were conducted to delineate the effects of contact time, adsorbent dose, molybdate concentration, pH and temperature. Two theoretical adsorption isotherms, namely, Langmuir and Freundlich were used to describe the experimental results. The Langmuir adsorption capacity (Q0) was found to be 18.9 mg molybdate/g of the adsorbent. Adsorption followed second order kinetics. Studies were performed at different pH values to find out the pH at which maximum adsorption occurred. The pH effect and desorption studies showed that ion exchange and chemisorption mechanism were involved in the adsorption process. Thermodynamic parameters such as DeltaG0, DeltaH0 and DeltaS0 for the adsorption were evaluated. Effect of foreign ions on adsorption of molybdate has been examined. The results showed that ZnCl2 activated coir pith carbon was effective for the removal and recovery of molybdate from water.     

Adsorption and Desorption of Nickel(II) Ions from Aqueous Solution by a Lignocellulose/Montmorillonite Nanocomposite

A new and inexpensive lignocellulose/montmorillonite (LNC/MMT) nanocomposite was prepared by a chemical intercalation of LNC into MMT and was subsequently investigated as an adsorbent in batch systems for the adsorption-desorption of Ni(II) ions in an aqueous solution. The optimum conditions for the Ni(II) ion adsorption capacity of the LNC/MMT nanocomposite were studied in detail by varying parameters such as the initial Ni(II) concentration, the solution pH value, the adsorption temperature and time. The results indicated that the maximum adsorption capacity of Ni(II) reached 94.86 mg/g at an initial Ni(II) concentration of 0.0032 mol/L, a solution pH of 6.8, an adsorption temperature of 70°C, and adsorption time of 40 min. The represented adsorption kinetics model exhibited good agreement between the experimental data and the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The Langmuir isotherm equation best fit the experimental data. The structure of the LNC/MMT nanocomposite was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), whereas the adsorption mechanism was discussed in combination with the results obtained from scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analyses (FTIR). The desorption capacity of the LNC/MMT nanocomposite depended on parameters such as HNO₃ concentration, desorption temperature, and desorption time. The satisfactory desorption capacity of 81.34 mg/g was obtained at a HNO₃ concentration, desorption temperature, and desorption time of 0.2 mol/L, 60 ºC, and 30 min, respectively. The regeneration studies showed that the adsorption capacity of the LNC/MMT nanocomposite was consistent for five cycles without any appreciable loss in the batch process and confirmed that the LNC/MMT nanocomposite was reusable. The overall study revealed that the LNC/MMT nanocomposite functioned as an effective adsorbent in the detoxification of Ni(II)-contaminated wastewater.     

Galactans from cystocarpic plants of the red seaweed Callophyllis variegata (Kallymeniaceae, Gigartinales)

The polysaccharide extracted from cystocarpic Callophyllis variegata was fractionated with potassium chloride yielding three small fractions that precipitated in the ranges of 0–0.05 M KCl, 1.20–1.25 M KCl, and 1.80–2.00 M KCl, and a main product soluble in 2.00 M KCl. These fractions were analyzed, and as the first one contained very high amounts of protein, it was not studied further. Structural analysis of the rest of the fractions (F1–F3) was carried out by methylation, desulfation–methylation, IR, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The results are consistent for F1 with a carrageenan-type backbone mainly constituted by β-d-galactose 2-sulfate linked to -d-galactose 2,3,6-trisulfate and β-d-galactose 2,4-disulfate linked to 3,6-anhydro-d-galactose 2-sulfate as dominant diads. In F2 these diads are present together with low amounts of β-d-galactose 2-sulfate linked to 3,6-anhydro-d-galactose 2-sulfate, whose contribution becomes higher in F3. In addition, minor but significant amounts of l-galactose were detected. F1–F3 showed potent antiviral activity against herpes simplex types 1 and 2 and dengue type 2.     

Gum Arabic coated magnetic nanoparticles with affinity ligands specific for antibodies

A novel magnetic support based on gum Arabic (GA) coated iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) has been endowed with affinity properties towards immunoglobulin G (IgG) molecules. The success of the in situ triazine ligand synthesis was confirmed by fluorescence assays. Two synthetic ligands previously developed for binding to IgG, named as ligand 22/8 (artificial Protein A) and ligand 8/7 (artificial Protein L) were immobilized on to MNPs coated with GA (MNP_GA). The dimension of the particles core was not affected by the surface functionalization with GA and triazine ligands. The hydrodynamic diameters of the magnetic supports indicate that the coupling of GA leads to the formation of larger agglomerates of particles with about 1 µm, but the introduction of the triazine ligands leads to a decrease on MNPs size. The non‐functionalized MNP_GA bound 28 mg IgG/g, two times less than bare MNP (60 mg IgG/g). MNP_GA modified with ligand 22/8 bound 133 mg IgG/g support, twice higher than the value obtained for ligand 8/7 magnetic adsorbents (65 mg/g). Supports modified with ligand 22/8 were selected to study the adsorption and the elution of IgG. The adsorption of human IgG on this support followed a Langmuir behavior with a Q_máx of 344 mg IgG/g support and K_a of 1.5 × 10⁵ M. The studies on different elution conditions indicated that although the 0.05 M citrate buffer (pH 3) presented good recovery yields (elution 64% of bound protein), there was occurrence of iron leaching at this acidic pH. Therefore, a potential alternative would be to elute bound protein with a 0.05 M glycine‐NaOH (pH 11) buffer. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mitochondrial membrane potential estimated with the correction of probe binding

Lipophilic ions are widely used as the probe for estimation of the membrane potential. It is suggested that the correction of the probe binding to the membrane and / or intracellular constituents is a problem to be solved in order to evaluate the membrane potential accurately. Previously, we proposed a method for the correction of the probe binding (Demura, M., Kamo, N. and Kobatake, Y. (1985) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 820, 207–215). In this paper, the method was applied to the determination of the membrane potential of intact mitochondria. The probes used constitute a homologous series of (Phe)₃-P⁺-(CH₂)_n-CH₃ (n = 0−4) and tetraphenylphosphonium (TPP⁺). Binding of these probes to de-energized mitochondria followed the Langmuir isotherm. However, values of parameters determined at high (50–800 μM) and low (under 20 μM) probe concentrations were different, suggesting the existence at least two, high- and low-affinity, binding sites. With extrapolation to the ‘state of no binding’, the membrane potential of intact mitochondria was estimated to be −147 mV (interior-negative) when they were energized by 5 mM succinate in medium consisting of 125 mM KCl, 10 mM MgCl₂, 5 mM phosphate, 0.4 mM EDTA and 50 mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.5) at 25°C. Parameters appearing in the equation for the correction of probe binding were determined with the use of this value of the membrane potential. The validity of the equation and the value of the parameters were revealed by the fact that after the correction, all probes used gave approximately the same value under the same conditions. We expanded the method so as to include the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. When the modified equation is used, the estimated membrane potentials were less dependent on a probe concentration less than 10 μM.