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Synthesis of nanoparticles with frog foam nest proteins

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Abstract

Microemulsions provide an efficient means of synthesizing monodispersed nanoparticles. Recent studies have demonstrated potential problems of surfactant due to the interaction with nanoparticles/precursors. To solve the problems, various types of chemical surfactants have been tested, but natural biosurfactants have not received a great deal of attention in engineering application. Here, we report the formation of microemulsions using frog foam nest protein, ranaspumin-2 (RSN-2), based on the hypothesis that RSN-2 assembles at the water–oil interface as a result of conformational change into an extended form. Fluorescence spectroscopic studies showed that RSN-2 undergoes a reversible transition between extended and globular conformation in foams/microemulsions and aqueous solution, respectively. Microemulsions were formulated with RSN-2 to synthesize 8–10 nm superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles by mixing precursor-containing microemulsions with base-containing microemulsions. RSN-2 proteins were recovered from microemulsions and found to be recycled to make foams and microemulsions. Fluorescence spectroscopic analyses showed that RSN-2 maintained its mechanical agitation-induced amphiphilicity throughout multiple foaming/defoaming processes. These results suggest that conformational flexibility and structural stability of RSN-2 in aggressive environments enable the recycled use of RSN-2, elucidating the cost-effective advantage.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Andrew Kordahi for technical assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Energy, Environmental, Biological and Medical Engineering, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 45221, USA

    Hyo-Jick Choi, Charles F. Ebersbacher & Carlo D. Montemagno

  2. Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA

    Nosang V. Myung

Authors
  1. Hyo-Jick Choi
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  2. Charles F. Ebersbacher
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  3. Nosang V. Myung
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  4. Carlo D. Montemagno
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Hyo-Jick Choi or Carlo D. Montemagno.

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Choi, HJ., Ebersbacher, C.F., Myung, N.V. et al. Synthesis of nanoparticles with frog foam nest proteins. J Nanopart Res 14, 1092 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-012-1092-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-012-1092-1

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