Green Chemistry of Zein Protein Toward the Synthesis of Bioconjugated Nanoparticles: Understanding Unfolding, Fusogenic Behavior, and Hemolysis

Abstract

Green chemistry of industrially important zein protein was explored in aqueous phase toward the synthesis of bioconjugated gold (Au) nanoparticles (NPs), which allowed us to simultaneously understand the unfolding behavior of zein with respect to temperature and time. Synthesis of Au NPs was monitored with simultaneous measurements of UV–visible absorbance due to the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of Au NPs that triggered the adsorption of zein on the NP surface and thus resulted in its unfolding. Surface adsorption of zein further controlled the crystal growth of Au NPs, which relied on the degree of unfolding and fusogenic behavior of zein due to its predominant hydrophobic nature. The latter property induced a marked blue shift in the SPR rarely observed in the growing NPs during the nucleation process. A greater unfolding of zein in fact was instrumental in generating zein-coated faceted NPs that were subjected to their hemolytic response for their possible use as drug release vehicles. Zein coating significantly reduced the hemolysis and made bioconjugated Au NPs the best models for biomedical applications in nanotechnology.

Reversible encapsulation of silver nanoparticles into the helix of amylose (water soluble starch)

“…The capping and/or shape-directing role may be explained in terms of excess diosgenin adsorption onto the surface of the Ag-nanoparticles. The above explanations and proposed mechanism are in good agreement with the hypothesis developed by Mahal et al 35 and Wu et al 36 regarding the reducing-cum-stabilizing role of proteins in the synthesis of silver and gold nanoparticles.…”

Steroidal saponin based extracellular biosynthesis of AgNPs

“…The other sets of spots could be identified as {211}, {222}, {411} and {422} planes according to the pure face-centered cubic (fcc) silver structure. These results are in best agreement with the results of Bakshi et al [14,22], due to the capping ability of zein protein, lipids and/or normal surfactants originates from electrostatic interactions between the polar head groups and charged nanoparticle surface; surface passivation exits in the form of a lipid bilayer which provides good steric and charge stabilization (due to Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek theory) to colloidal nanoparticles. Morphology of silver nanoparticles can be controlled not only by the [CTAB] but also by the reaction-time alteration and [Ag + ].…”

“…Bakshi et al used zein protein as a reducing and capping agent towards the synthesis of bio-conjugated gold nanoparticles and explained the unfolding, fusogenic and hemolytic behaviors of protein with respect to temperature and time on the morphology of resulting nanoparticles. A layer of zein protein coating on the surface of nanoparticles significantly reduced the toxic and hemolytic properties of nanoparticles [14]. Recently, we synthesize silver nanoparticles by using Allium sativum, Camellia sinensis, and Citrus limon aqueous extract in the presence of shape-directing CTAB [15][16][17].…”

Lysozyme Complexes for the Synthesis of Functionalized Biomaterials To Understand Protein–Protein Interactions and Their Biological Applications

“…We have already reported the detailed unfolding behavior of SDS solubilized zein and its simultaneous use in the in vitro synthesis of Au NPs, which is consistent with any other water-soluble protein. 18 Molecular Dynamics (MD) Simulations. Lysozyme and Cyt,c Interactions.…”