Ionic liquid-induced structural and activity changes in hen egg white lysozyme

Lysozyme crystals in the presence of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([C(4)mim]BF(4)), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([C(4)mim]Cl), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide([C(4)mim]Br), and 1,3-dimethylimidazolium iodine([dmim]I) were prepared, and the influence of ionic liquids (ILs) on the structure and activity change of lysozyme was investigated. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed the major secondary structures of α-helix and β-sheet for lysozyme. It was interesting to note that increases of the band near 2,935 and 1,656 cm(-1) from Raman spectroscopy are attributed to the unfolding of lysozyme molecules. A shift in amide III from 1,230 to 1,270 cm(-1) in adding [dmim]I occurs, indicating a transformation from β-sheet to random coil. With regard to adding [C(4)mim]BF(4), [C(4)mim]Cl, and [C(4)mim]Br, α-helix and β-sheet are the predominant structures for lysozyme. The activity study showed that the ILs used brought a positive effect. Especially, [dmim]I leads to a drastic increase in relative activity, and its value reaches 50 %.