Gold
nanoparticles (AuNPs) bound with biomolecules have emerged
as suitable biosensors exploiting unique surface chemistries and optical
properties. Many efforts have focused on antibody bioconjugation to
AuNPs resulting in a sensitive bioconjugate to detect specific types
of bacteria. Unfortunately, bacteria thrive under various harsh environments,
and an understanding of bioconjugate stability is needed. Here, we
show a method for optimizing Listeria monocytogenes polyclonal antibodies bioconjugation mechanisms to AuNPs via covalent
binding at different pH values, from 2 to 11, and 2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid (MES), 3-(N-morpholino)propanesulfonic
acid, NaOH, HCl conditions. By fitting Lorentz curves to the amide
I and II regions, we analyze the stability of the antibody secondary
structure. This shows an increase in the apparent breakdown of the
antibody secondary structure during bioconjugation as pH decreases
from 7.9 to 2. We find variable adsorption efficiency, measured as
the percentage of antibody adsorbed to the AuNP surface, from 17 to
27% as pH increases from 2 to 6 before decreasing to 8 and 13% at
pH 7.9 and 11, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM)
analysis reveals discrepancies between size and morphological changes
due to the corona layer assembly from antibody binding to single nanoparticles
versus aggregation or cluster self-assembly into large aggregates.
The corona layer formation size increases from 3.9 to 5.1 nm from
pH 2 to 6, at pH 7.9, there is incomplete corona formation, whereas
at pH 11, there is a corona layer formed of 6.4 nm. These results
indicate that the covalent binding process was more efficient at lower
pH values; however, aggregation and deactivation of the antibodies
were observed. We demonstrate that optimum bioconjugation condition
was determined at pH 6 and MES buffer-type by indicators of covalent
bonding and stability of the antibody secondary structure using Fourier
transform-infrared, the morphological characteristics and corona layer
formation using TEM, and low wavelength shifts of ultraviolet–visible
after bioconjugation.