A novel method of assessment of interfacial adsorption of blood proteins

Interfacial adsorption of proteins can be studied using microscopic surface analysis techniques, and by physical techniques such as interfacial tension measurement. A novel method of surface analysis of adsorbed protein layers is described, which involves interfacial shear rheology of aqueous solutions of proteins. This technique provides information on the structural-mechanical properties of the adsorbed layers which may be related to: the rate of interfacial adsorption, interfacial interactions, and conformational changes in the adsorbed layers. The interfacial shear rheology of aqueous solutions of the blood proteins, bovine serum albumin and human immunoglobulin G was investigated at the air/aqueous interface. The effects of bulk concentration (0.1 to 4.0% w/v) and pH (3 to 8) were investigated, both interfacial viscosity and elasticity values are reported.