Structural-functional integrity of lysozyme in imidazolium based surface active ionic liquids

The present study was designed to explore the hydrophobicity and concentration dependence of imidazolium based surface active ionic liquids (SAILs) effects on the structural-functional integrity of proteins. Specifically, we investigated the impact of SAILs viz. 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium dodecylbenzenesulfonate ([OMIM][DBS]) and 1-dodecyl-3-methylimidazolium dodecylbenzenesulfonate ([DDMIM][DBS]) on activity, structure and stability of lysozyme. Activity measurements revealed that, in contrast to [DDMIM][DBS] that renders lysozyme either feebly active or inactive, [OMIM][DBS] significantly enhances the lysozyme activity in the concentration range of critical aggregation concentrations (CAC) to C_s (SAIL saturation concentration of protein backbone) i.e., 0.5 mM-1.35 mM. Tensiometric results in agreement with turbidity measurements inferred significant composition and concentration dependence of the lysozyme-SAIL interactions. Spectroscopic investigations revealed that compared to destabilizing behaviour of [DDMIM][DBS], [OMIM][DBS] significantly enhances both conformational as well as thermal stability of lysozyme in the CAC to C_s concentration regime. Altogether, results obtained do indicate that [OMIM][DBS], in the concentration regime of CAC to C_s, serves as an efficient stabiliser with an ability to appreciably enhance the activity, thermal stability and overall conformational stability of lysozyme. We firmly believe that [OMIM][DBS], at least in the CAC to C_s concentration ranges, can be exploited as a promising stabiliser and activity enhancer for numerous industrially important enzymes.