Silk fibroin-sophorolipid gelation: deciphering the underlying mechanism

TitleSilk fibroin-sophorolipid gelation: deciphering the underlying mechanism
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2016
AuthorsDubey, P, Kumar, S, Aswal, VK, Ravindranathan, S, Rajamohanan, PR, Prabhune, A, Nisal, A
JournalBiomacromolecules
Volume17
Issue10
Pagination3318-3327
Date PublishedOCT
Type of ArticleArticle
ISSN1525-7797
Abstract

Silk fibroin (SF) protein, produced by silkworm Bombyx mori, is a promising biomaterial, while sophorolipid (SL) is an amphiphilic functional biosurfactant synthesized by nonpathogenic yeast Candida bombicola. SL is a mixture of two forms, acidic (ASL) and lactonic (LSL), which when added to SF results in accelerated gelation of silk fibroin. LSL is known to have multiple biological functionalities and hence hydrogels of these green molecules have promising applications in the biomedical sector. In this work, SANS, NMR, and rheology are employed to examine the assembling properties of individual and mixed SLs and their interactions with SF to understand the mechanism that leads to rapid gelation. SANS and NMR studies show that ASL assembles to form charged micelles, while LSL forms micellar assemblies and aggregates of a mass fractal nature. ASL and LSL together form larger mixed micelles, all of which interact differently with SF. It is shown that preferential binding of LSL to SF causes rapid unfolding of the SF chain leading to the formation of intermolecular beta sheets, which trigger fast gelation. Based on the observations, a mechanism for gelation of SF in the presence of different sophorolipids is proposed.

DOI10.1021/acs.biomac.6b01069
Type of Journal (Indian or Foreign)Foreign
Impact Factor (IF)5.583
Divison category: 
Biochemical Sciences
Central NMR Facility
Polymer Science & Engineering

Add new comment