Malvern Instruments has developed a new diffusion barrier method to
eliminate protein denaturation when measuring zeta potential using
electrophoretic light scattering. Utilising a U-shaped disposable capillary
cell, the new method delivers significant improvement in the accuracy and
repeatability of zeta potential results for proteins.
Malvern Instruments has developed a new diffusion barrier method to eliminate protein denaturation when measuring zeta potential using electrophoretic light scattering.
Ultimately, the method makes protein characterization with Malvern’s
Zetasizer range even easier. A new application note explaining the technology
and its applications is available at www.malvern.com/protein-zeta-potential-appnote
Zeta potential, which is a property of molecules and particles in suspension
related to the surface charge, helps predict the stability of emulsions and
colloids and also proteins in solution. Zeta potential measurement of proteins
has always been challenging because of the tendency for aggregation to occur at
the electrodes during the application of the electric field. When aggregates
form, the measured result will be the zeta potential of the aggregates, which
can be markedly different from the zeta potential of the native protein.
The diffusion barrier method protects the protein by keeping it away from the
electrodes within a pool of buffer. This prevents aggregation and by eliminating
this issue means the measured zeta potential is only that of the native protein.
By eliminating protein aggregation, the diffusion barrier method improves the
quality and accuracy of protein zeta potential measurement.
A multi-media presentation on the Diffusion Barrier method developed by
Malvern Instruments is freely available through Malvern’s online knowledge base
at:
www.malvern.com/protein-zeta-potential