Correction of the equilibrium temperature caused by slight evaporation of water in protein crystal growth cells during long-term space experiments at International Space Station.
The normal growth rates of the {110} faces of tetragonal hen egg-white lysozyme crystals, R, were measured as a function of the supersaturation σ parameter using a reflection type interferometer under μG at the International Space Station (NanoStep Project). Since water slightly evaporated from in situ observation cells during a long-term space station experiment for several months, equilibrium temperature T(e) changed, and the actual σ, however, significantly increased mainly due to the increase in salt concentration C(s). To correct σ, the actual C(s) and protein concentration C(p), which correctly represent the measured T(e) value in space, were first calculated. Second, a new solubility curve with the corrected C(s) was plotted. Finally, the revised σ was obtained from the new solubility curve. This correction method successfully revealed that the 2.8% water was evaporated from the solution, leading to 2.8% increase in the C(s) and C(p) of the solution.
Institute of Socio-Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokushima, 1-1 Minamijosanjima, Tokushima 770-8506, Japan.
Takahisa
T
Fujiwara
Institute of Technology and Science, The University of Tokushima, 2-1 Minamijosanjima, Tokushima 770-8506, Japan.
Yoshihisa
Y
Suzuki
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), 2-1-1 Sengen, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8505, Japan.
Izumi
I
Yoshizaki
Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University, Aramaki, Aoba, Sendai 980-8570, Japan.
Katsuo
K
Tsukamoto
Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University, Aramaki, Aoba, Sendai 980-8570, Japan.
Kenta
K
Murayama
Advanced Engineering Services Co., Ltd., Tsukuba Mitsui Bldg., 1-6-1 Takezono, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0032, Japan.
Seijiro
S
Fukuyama
Graduate School of Advanced Technology and Science, The University of Tokushima, 2-1 Minamijosanjima, Tokushima 770-8506, Japan.
Kouhei
K
Hosokawa
Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University, Aramaki, Aoba, Sendai 980-8570, Japan.
Kentaro
K
Oshi
Graduate School of Advanced Technology and Science, The University of Tokushima, 2-1 Minamijosanjima, Tokushima 770-8506, Japan.
Daisuke
D
Ito
Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University, Aramaki, Aoba, Sendai 980-8570, Japan.
Tomoya
T
Yamazaki
Graduate School of Nanobioscience, Yokohama City University, 22-2 Seto Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama 236-0027, Japan.
Masaru
M
Tachibana
Graduate School of Natural Sciences, Nagoya City University, Yamanohata 1, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 467-8501, Japan.
Hitoshi
H
Miura
D003460:Crystallization; D005118:Extraterrestrial Environment; D009113:Muramidase / Q000737:chemistry*; D012995:Solubility; D018531:Spacecraft; D013696:Temperature; D014835:Volatilization; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry*
D014867:Water; C421864:hen egg lysozyme; D009113:Muramidase