Protein immobilization is of utmost importance in many
areas, where
various proteins are used for selective detection of target compounds.
Despite the importance given to determine the amount of immobilized
protein, there is no simple method that allows direct, noninvasive
detection. In this work, a method based on pH transition, occurring
during change of solution ionic strength, was developed. The method
utilized the ionic character of the immobilized protein while implementing
biologically compatible buffers. Five different proteins, namely,
glucose oxidase, horseradish peroxidase, bovine serum albumin, lysozyme,
and protein A, were immobilized in different amounts on a porous polymeric
matrix, and their pH transition was measured using lactate buffer
of various concentrations and pH values. A linear correlation was
found between the amount of immobilized protein and the amplitude
of the pH transition, allowing the detection down to 2 nmol of immobilized
protein. By changing the buffer concentration and pH, the sensitivity
of the method could be tailored. Criteria based on the symmetry of
the pH transition peak have been developed to determine if a particular
measurement is within a linear range. In addition, a mathematical
model was developed enabling prediction of pH transition profiles
based solely on the protein amino acid sequence, the buffer pK
a value(s), and the amount of immobilized protein.Hence,
it can be used to design pH transition method experiments to achieve
the required sensitivity for a target sample. Since the proposed method
is noninvasive, it can be routinely applied during optimization of
the immobilization protocol, for quality control, and also as an in-process
monitoring tool.