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Insights into the Mechanisms and Driving Forces of Biomolecular Adsorption Processes

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A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Biophysics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 December 2024 | Viewed by 3301

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Dr. Ana Cristina Dias-Cabral

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Guest Editor

1. CICS-UBI Health Sciences Research Center, University Beira Interior, Avenida Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
2. Department of Chemistry, University Beira Interior, Avenida Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
Interests: biophysics and physical chemistry; colloidal phenomena and surface chemistry studies; downstream processing; biomolecular adsorption processes; biosensing

Dr. Paula Fraga-García

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Guest Editor

Chair of Bioseparation Engineering, School of Engineering and Design, Technical University of Munich, Boltzmannstraße 15, 85748 Garching, Germany
Interests: colloidal chemistry; bio–nano interactions; solid–liquid interfaces; mass transfer; magnetic separation; bionanotechnology; electrosorption; material characterization; microalgae harvesting

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Biomolecular adsorption, a critical process where biomolecules interact and bind to surfaces forming an adsorbed layer, holds significant importance across various scientific fields, especially within the biopharmaceuticals industry. Therefore, understanding the underlying mechanisms and driving forces during biomolecule adsorption processes is essential. Researchers can leverage this knowledge to enhance purification procedures, improve yields and productivity in downstream processing, ensure product stability, design efficient drug delivery systems, and maintain material biocompatibility. By exerting control over Biomolecular Adsorption Processes through the understanding of their driving forces and the mechanisms behind solid–liquid partitioning, researchers gain the capacity to optimize and regulate processes effectively. However, this knowledge is still in its infancy.

The present Special Issue, entitled "Insights into the Mechanisms and Driving Forces of Biomolecular Adsorption Processes", aims to showcase research advancements to the extensive community engaged in this domain. We welcome contributions at the intersection of physics, chemistry, biology, and/or materials science.

Dr. Ana Cristina Dias-Cabral
Dr. Paula Fraga-García
Guest Editors

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Keywords

biomolecule adsorption
biomolecule separation
interaction mechanisms
driving forces
biophysical studies
interaction thermodynamics
downstream processing
materials and surface science
interfacial chemistry

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 18911 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Chitosan–Alginate Gels for Sorption of Hazardous Materials: The Effect of Chemical Composition and Physical State

by Erika Fekete and Emília Csiszár

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(15), 8406; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25158406 - 1 Aug 2024

Viewed by 345

Abstract

Chitosan, alginate, and chitosan–alginate (50:50) mixed hydrogels were prepared by freeze casting, freeze-drying, and subsequent physical cross-linking. Chitosan was cross-linked with citrate and alginate with calcium ions, while the mixed gels were cross-linked with both cross-linking agents. Both cryogels and xerogels were obtained by lyophilization and drying of the hydrogels. We investigated the effect of the chemical composition and the physical state of gels on the gel structure and sorption of model dyes. Alginate and mixed gels cross-linked with Ca²⁺ ions sorbed 80–95% of cationic dye from the solutions. The chitosan gels are primarily capable of adsorbing anionic dyes, but at near-neutral pH, their capacity is lower than that of alginate gels, showing 50–60% dye sorption. In the case of alginate gels, the dye sorption capacity of xerogels, cryogels, and hydrogels was the same, but for chitosan gels, the hydrogels adsorbed slightly less dye than the dried gels. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insights into the Mechanisms and Driving Forces of Biomolecular Adsorption Processes)

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37 pages, 9501 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Towards Enhanced Tunability of Aqueous Biphasic Systems: Furthering the Grasp of Fluorinated Ionic Liquids in the Purification of Proteins

by Sara F. Carvalho, Margarida H. Custódio, Ana B. Pereiro and João M. M. Araújo

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(11), 5766; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25115766 - 25 May 2024

Viewed by 686

Abstract

This work unfolds functionalized ABSs composed of FILs ([C₂C₁Im][C₄F₉SO₃] and [

N_{1112 (OH)}

][C₄F₉SO₃]), mere fluoro-containing ILs ([C₂C₁Im][CF₃SO [...] Read more.

This work unfolds functionalized ABSs composed of FILs ([C₂C₁Im][C₄F₉SO₃] and [

N_{1112 (OH)}

][C₄F₉SO₃]), mere fluoro-containing ILs ([C₂C₁Im][CF₃SO₃] and [C₄C₁Im][CF₃SO₃]), known globular protein stabilizers (sucrose and [

N_{1112 (OH)}

][C₄F₉SO₃]), low-molecular-weight carbohydrate (glucose), and even high-charge density salt (K₃PO₄). The ternary phase diagrams were determined, stressing that FILs highly increased the ability for ABS formation. The functionalized ABSs (FILs vs. mere fluoro-containing ILs) were used to extract lysozyme (Lys). The ABSs’ biphasic regions were screened in terms of protein biocompatibility, analyzing the impact of ABS phase-forming components in Lys by UV-VIS spectrophotometry, CD spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, DSC, and enzyme assay. Lys partition behavior was characterized in terms of extraction efficiency (% EE). The structure, stability, and function of Lys were maintained or improved throughout the extraction step, as evaluated by CD spectroscopy, DSC, enzyme assay, and SDS-PAGE. Overall, FIL-based ABSs are more versatile and amenable to being tuned by the adequate choice of the phase-forming components and selecting the enriched phase. Binding studies between Lys and ABS phase-forming components were attained by MST, demonstrating the strong interaction between Lys and FILs aggregates. Two of the FIL-based ABSs (30 %wt [C₂C₁Im][C₄F₉SO₃] + 2 %wt K₃PO₄ and 30 %wt [C₂C₁Im][C₄F₉SO₃] + 25 %wt sucrose) allowed the simultaneous purification of Lys and BSA in a single ABS extraction step with high yield (extraction efficiency up to 100%) for both proteins. The purity of both recovered proteins was validated by SDS-PAGE analysis. Even with a high-charge density salt, the FIL-based ABSs developed in this work seem more amenable to be tuned. Lys and BSA were purified through selective partition to opposite phases in a single FIL-based ABS extraction step. FIL-based ABSs are proposed as an improved extraction step for proteins, based on their biocompatibility, customizable properties, and selectivity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insights into the Mechanisms and Driving Forces of Biomolecular Adsorption Processes)

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30 pages, 6524 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sorption Behavior of Azo Dye Congo Red onto Activated Biochar from Haematoxylum campechianum Waste: Gradient Boosting Machine Learning-Assisted Bayesian Optimization for Improved Adsorption Process

by Diego Melchor Polanco Gamboa, Mohamed Abatal, Eder Lima, Francisco Anguebes Franseschi, Claudia Aguilar Ucán, Rasikh Tariq, Miguel Angel Ramírez Elías and Joel Vargas

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(9), 4771; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25094771 - 27 Apr 2024

Viewed by 907

Abstract

This work aimed to describe the adsorption behavior of Congo red (CR) onto activated biochar material prepared from Haematoxylum campechianum waste (ABHC). The carbon precursor was soaked with phosphoric acid, followed by pyrolysis to convert the precursor into activated biochar. The surface morphology of the adsorbent (before and after dye adsorption) was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM/EDS), BET method, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and, lastly, pH_pzc was also determined. Batch studies were carried out in the following intervals of pH = 4–10, temperature = 300.15–330.15 K, the dose of adsorbent = 1–10 g/L, and isotherms evaluated the adsorption process to determine the maximum adsorption capacity (Q_max, mg/g). Kinetic studies were performed starting from two different initial concentrations (25 and 50 mg/L) and at a maximum contact time of 48 h. The reusability potential of activated biochar was evaluated by adsorption–desorption cycles. The maximum adsorption capacity obtained with the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model was 114.8 mg/g at 300.15 K, pH = 5.4, and a dose of activated biochar of 1.0 g/L. This study also highlights the application of advanced machine learning techniques to optimize a chemical removal process. Leveraging a comprehensive dataset, a Gradient Boosting regression model was developed and fine-tuned using Bayesian optimization within a Python programming environment. The optimization algorithm efficiently navigated the input space to maximize the removal percentage, resulting in a predicted efficiency of approximately 90.47% under optimal conditions. These findings offer promising insights for enhancing efficiency in similar removal processes, showcasing the potential of machine learning in process optimization and environmental remediation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insights into the Mechanisms and Driving Forces of Biomolecular Adsorption Processes)

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16 pages, 2176 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comprehensive Evaluation of Polyaniline-Doped Lignosulfonate in Adsorbing Dye and Heavy Metal Ions

by Wenjuan Wu, Penghui Li, Mingkang Wang, Huijun Liu, Xiufu Zhao, Caiwen Wu and Jianpeng Ren

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(1), 133; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25010133 - 21 Dec 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 937

Abstract

Lignosulfonate/polyaniline (LS/PANI) nanocomposite adsorbent materials were prepared by the chemical polymerization of lignosulfonate with an aniline monomer as a dopant and structure-directing agent, and the adsorption behavior of dyes as well as heavy metal ions was investigated. LS/PANI composites were used as dye adsorbents for the removal of different cationic dyes (malachite green, methylene blue, and crystal violet). The adsorption behavior of LS/PANI composites as dye adsorbents for malachite green was investigated by examining the effects of the adsorbent dosage, solution pH, initial concentration of dye, adsorption time, and temperature on the adsorption properties of this dye. The following conclusions were obtained. The optimum adsorption conditions for the removal of malachite green dye when LS/PANI composites were used as malachite green dye adsorbents were as follows: an adsorbent dosage of 20 mg, an initial concentration of the dye of 250 mg/L, an adsorption time of 300 min, and a temperature of 358 K. The LS/PANI composite adsorbed malachite green dye in accordance with the Langmuir adsorption model and pseudo-second-order kinetic model, which belongs to chemisorption-based monomolecular adsorption, and the equilibrium adsorption amount was 245.75 mg/g. In particular, the adsorption of heavy metal ion Pb²⁺ was investigated, and the removal performance was also favorable for Pb²⁺. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insights into the Mechanisms and Driving Forces of Biomolecular Adsorption Processes)

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