Abstract
The ability of polyols to act as ice recrystallisation inhibitors (IRI), inspired by antifreeze (glyco) proteins are studied. Poly(vinyl alcohol), PVA, a known IRI active polymer was compared to a panel of mono and polysaccharides, with the aim of elucidating why some polyols are active and others show no activity. When corrected for total hydroxyl concentration all the carbohydrate-based polyols displayed near identical activity with no significant influence of molecular weight. Conversely, PVA was several orders of magnitude more active and its activity displays significant dependence on molecular-weight implying that its mechanism of action is not identical to that of carbohydrates. In a second step, the role of hydrophobicity was studied and it is observed that monosaccharide IRI activity is enhanced by alkylation. Dye-quenching assays demonstrated that PVA is able to present a hydrophobic surface without self-aggregation. Therefore, the ability to present a hydrophobic domain is hypothesised to be essential to obtain high IRI activity, which has many biotechnological applications.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 478-485 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Biomaterials Science |
Volume | 1 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2013 |
Keywords
- RED-BLOOD-CELLS
- ANTIFREEZE GLYCOPROTEINS
- THERMAL HYSTERESIS
- POLY(VINYL ALCOHOL)
- PHYSICAL-PROPERTIES
- AQUEOUS-SOLUTION
- PROTEINS
- CRYOPRESERVATION
- TISSUES
- ANALOGS