In: Langmuir, 2011, vol. 27, no. 6, p. 2195–2203
We present a detailed study of the evolution of the size, structure and stability of casein micelles upon acidification of skim milk typically applied in yogurt-making processes using a combination of time-resolved light and small-angle X-ray scattering experiments. While most of the available light scattering studies on casein acidification have been restricted to transparent and therefore...
|
In: Soft Matter, 2011, vol. 7, no. 3, p. 857
We examine the applicability of the extended law of corresponding states (ELCS) to equilibrium and non equilibrium features of the state diagram of the globular protein lysozyme. We provide compelling evidence that the ELCS correctly reproduces the location of the binodal for different ionic strengths, but fails in describing the location of the arrest line. We subsequently use Mode Coupling...
|
In: Soft Matter, 2010, vol. 6, no. 19, p. 4876-4884
Covalently cross-linked whey protein microgels (WPM) were produced without the use of a chemical cross-linking agent. The hierarchical structure of WPM is formed by a complex interplay of heat denaturation, aggregation, electrostatic repulsion, and formation of disulfide bonds. Therefore, well-defined spherical particles with a diameter of several hundreds of nanometers and with relatively low...
|
In: Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 2009, vol. 336, no. 2, p. 565-574
We present a new 3D cross-correlation instrument that not only allows for static and dynamic scattering experiments with turbid samples but measures at four angles simultaneously. It thus extends the application of cross-correlation light scattering to time-resolved studies where we can, for example, efficiently investigate the temporal evolution of aggregating or phase separating turbid...
|
In: The Journal of Physical Chemistry B, 2009, vol. 113, no. 6, p. 1693–1709
We present a study of binary mixtures of eye lens crystallin proteins. A coarse-grained model of aqueous α- and γ-crystallin mixtures based on molecular dynamics simulations and SANS experiments is proposed. Thermodynamic perturbation theory is implemented to obtain the stability boundaries, or spinodal surface, of the binary mixture in the full parameter space. The stability of these...
|
In: Physical Review Letters, 2007, vol. 99, no. 19, p. 198103
Small-angle neutron scattering experiments and molecular dynamics simulations combined with an application of concepts from soft matter physics to complex protein mixtures provide new insight into the stability of eye lens protein mixtures. Exploring this colloid-protein analogy we demonstrate that weak attractions between unlike proteins help to maintain lens transparency in an extremely...
|
In: Langmuir, 2007, vol. 23, no. 7, p. 3570 -3580
We have systematically investigated the phase diagram of clay particles in water to understand the relation between the local and macroscopic properties and the structures of clay suspensions. We focused, in particular, on sodium Cloisite (CNa) particles at concentrations typically used in nanocomposites (concentrations from 1 to 4 wt %) and at an extended range of ionic strengths (10⁻⁵ to...
|
In: Physical Review Letters, 2007, vol. 99, no. 11, p. 118301
We investigate the competition between spinodal decomposition and dynamical arrest using aqueous solutions of the globular protein lysozyme as a model system for colloids with short-range attractions. We show that quenches below a temperature Ta lead to gel formation as a result of a local arrest of the protein-dense phase during spinodal decomposition. The rheological...
|
In: Europhysics Letters, 2007, vol. 77, no. 4, p. 48004
We present a combined experimental and numerical study of the equilibrium cluster formation in globular-protein solutions under no-added salt conditions. We show that a cluster phase emerges as a result of a competition between a long-range screened Coulomb repulsion and a short-range attraction. A simple effective potential, in which electrostatic repulsion is fixed by experimental conditions...
|
In: Langmuir, 2005, vol. 21(23), p. 10835
Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) measurements are reported on a sterically stabilized, core-shell colloidal system using contrast variation. Aqueous dispersions of polystyrene particles bearing grafted poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) have been studied over a large range of particle concentrations and two different solvent conditions for the PEG polymer. SANS data are analyzed quantitatively by...
|