Net charge affects morphology and visual properties of ovalbumin aggregates.
The effect of ovalbumin net charge on aggregate morphology and visual properties was investigated using chromatography, electrophoresis, electron microscopy, and turbidity measurements. A range of differently charged ovalbumin variants (net charge ranging from -1 to -26 at pH 7) was produced using chemical engineering. With increasing net charge, the degree of branching and flexibility of the aggregates decreased. The turbidity of the solutions reflected the aggregate morphology that was observed with transmission electron microscopy. Increasing the stiffness of the aggregates transformed the solutions from turbid to transparent. Artificially shielding the introduced net charge by introducing salt in the solution resulted in an aggregate morphology that was similar to that for low-net-charge variants. The morphology of heat-induced aggregates and the visual appearance of the solutions were significantly affected by net charge. We also found that the morphology of ovalbumin aggregates can be rapidly probed by high-throughput turbidity experiments.
Weijers
Mireille
M
Wageningen Centre for Food Sciences/Top Institute Food and Nutrition, Nieuwe Kanaal 9a, 6709 PA Wageningen, The Netherlands.
Broersen
Kerensa
K
Barneveld
Peter A
PA
Cohen Stuart
Martien A
MA
Hamer
Rob J
RJ
De Jongh
Harmen H J
HH
Visschers
Ronald W
RW
D000818:Animals; D011232:Chemical Precipitation; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009391:Nephelometry and Turbidimetry; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000737:chemistry*; D018583:Pliability; D011487:Protein Conformation; D012995:Solubility; D055672:Static Electricity
D010047:Ovalbumin