Ultrasonic protein crystallization: Promoting nucleation in microdroplets through pulsed sonication

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2020

Authors

Ferreira, J (Author) FEUP; Opsteyn, J (Author) Other; Fernando Rocha (Author) FEUP; F. Castro (Author) FEUP; Kuhn, S (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Chemical Engineering Research and Design

Vol. 162

Pages: 249-257

ISSN: 0263-8762

Publisher: Institute of Chemical Engineers

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 7 Citations

Scopus - 7 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00S-NJJ

DOI: 10.1016/j.cherd.2020.08.014

Abstract (EN): Droplet microfluidics allows a higher degree of control over the crystallization conditions than conventional methodologies. To extend this approach, this work explores the synergistic effect of low-frequency pulsed ultrasound on lysozyme crystallization in microdroplets. Pulsed actuation allows control of the crystallization temperature, while the ultrasound effect significantly reduces the induction time and crystal size. Therefore, protein nucleation is enhanced by pulsed sonication without causing precipitation, resulting in uniform crystal size. Finally, the initial supersaturation ratio has a crucial contribution to the crystal size for silent experiments, while a threshold for induction time is observed in ultrasonic crystallization.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 9