Interaction between β-Lactoglobuline and Weak Polyelectrolyte Chains: A Study Using Monte Carlo Simulation

Complexation between the β-lactoglobulin and a weak acid polyelectrolyte (PE) has been studied using Monte Carlo simulations. Different coarse-grained models were used to represent the system, and two different acidic constants were used on the PE model. The protein-PE interaction is quantified considering the average PE monomers adsorbed on the protein as a function of pH. A maximum in the interaction between macromolecules was found, which is explained as a function of the titration behavior of the β-lactoglobuline and weak PE. We also found that there was a direct relation between the pH range of monomers adsorbed and the change on dissociation profile of the protein and weak PE compared to isolated conditions. The complexation of protein-PE increased both the dissociation degree of the PE chain and the protein net charge. This benefits the monomer adsorption on the protein surface.