An investigation of zirconium(iv)–glycine(CP-2) hybrid complex in bovine serum albumin protein matrix under varying conditions

Abstract

The morphological and structural transformation process of the water soluble zirconium–glycine hybrid cluster [Zr6(O)4(OH)4(H2O)8(Gly)8]12+ (CP-2) in a bovine serum albumin (BSA) protein matrix was comprehensively investigated. Based on the zeta-potential analysis, positive CP-2 clusters tend to adsorb onto the surface of the backbone of BSA, forming BSA–CP-2 hybrids through direct mixing. After aging the solution at 37 °C for several weeks, white floccules appeared in solution indicating the phase transformation of BSA–CP-2 bio–inorganic hybrid. A series of characterizations (zeta-potential measurements, dynamic light scattering measurements, transmission and scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and so on) were carried out to analyze the interaction between CP-2 and BSA under varying pH value and salt concentrations in order to demonstrate the transformation of the CP-2 to amorphous ziconium hydroxide. The coagulant action of CP-2 with BSA indicates that the zirconium(IV)–glycine complex may be efficacious as an antiperspirant and in water treatment.