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Growth and structure of α‐lactalbumin nanotubes
Author(s) -
Fritz G.,
Glatter O.,
GravelandBikker J. F.,
De Kruif C. G.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of applied crystallography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.429
H-Index - 162
ISSN - 1600-5767
DOI - 10.1107/s0021889805043244
Subject(s) - transmission electron microscopy , materials science , bacillus licheniformis , scattering , light scattering , lactalbumin , elongation , crystallography , chemistry , optics , nanotechnology , composite material , chromatography , physics , biology , bacillus subtilis , bacteria , ultimate tensile strength , genetics
Partial hydrolysis of α‐lactalbumin by a protease from Bacillus licheniformis under appropriate conditions leads to the formation of nanotubular structures. The growth of α‐lactalbumin nanotubes and their dimensions were analysed using transmission electron microscopy, static light scattering and small‐angle X‐ray scattering. The scattering data were fitted using a model describing the growth of the tubes and using the form factor of a hollow tube. The cylinder diameter was calculated to be 19.9 (2) nm and the cavity diameter 8.7 (7) nm. The elongation rate of the nanotubes was about 10 nm min −1 under the experimental conditions.