Spectroscopic studies into the influence of UV radiation on elastin in the presence of collagen

Abstract

An investigation into the influence of UV irradiation on elastin hydrolysates in the presence of collagen was carried out using UV–Vis spectroscopy and spectrofluorometry. It was found that the absorbance of elastin hydrolysates in solution increased during irradiation more than the absorbance of the elastin/collagen blend. The fluorescence of elastin hydrolysates was observed at 305 nm and at 380 nm after excitation at 270 nm. For the elastin/collagen mixture in solution, fluorescence spectrum shows only one maximum at 305 nm. UV irradiation caused fluorescence fading at 305 nm. For irradiated elastin the fluorescence at 305 nm decreased faster than for the irradiated elastin/collagen mixture. The maximum of the fluorescence peak was shifted for elastin by 4 nm, whereas for the elastin/collagen blends the shift was only 1–2 nm. All the obtained results point out the ability of mixing elastin and collagen, and suggest that the elastin/collagen mixture in solution is less sensitive to UV irradiation than elastin hydrolysates alone.