I wish to measure the particle size distribution of some protein powders. I found some papers that they have used isobutanol to disperse the powders. Can anyone suggest what is the exact role of isobutanol in this case.
Additives tert-butanol in water facilitate stabilization of polypeptides nanoparticles in water. Why?
1. additives tert-butanol, 0.03 mole fractions gives a narrow maximum intensity of light scattering caused by the fluctuations of water structure. Therefore, use of DLS method is problematic to determine the size of the nanoparticles polypeptides in this system. See the correlation function in such a system.https://arxiv.org/ftp/arxiv/papers/1503/1503.07071.pdf
2. Authors of other works simplistic considering the influence of alcohol additives on stabilizatsie emulsions. The surface tension at the interface is reduced in the region of 5-10% alcohol concentration. See File
3. In my opinion alcohol additives enhance the hydrophobic interaction of the polypeptides and their stabilization. For better use for the edible compositions of ethyl alcohol,carboxylic acid.See our article so the problem.
Best regards
Isobutanol is a higher boiling point alcohol with less volatility and thus less thermal fluctuation that would affect a light scattering experiment due to convection currents causing a change in RI (and thus 'beam steering' of the laser). The higher molecular mass tends to mean less solublity than the lower molecular mass alcohols - obviously solubility would be a problem for wet experiment. It's been used successfully too as a wet dispersant for ground coffee.
Yes I agree with Alan F Rawle, to resolve thermal fluctuation issue which matter a lot for LS experimentation Isobutanol could be a better option.
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