Polymer–Protein Conjugate Particles with Biocatalytic Activity for Stabilization of Water-in-Water Emulsions

• Published in: ACS macro letters 2017-07, Vol.6 (7), p.679-683
• Main Authors: Xue, Long-Hui, Xie, Chun-Yan, Meng, Shi-Xin, Bai, Rui-Xue, Yang, Xin, Wang, Yaolei, Wang, Shu, Binks, Bernard P, Guo, Ting, Meng, Tao
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2161-1653; 2161-1653
• DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.7b00294

Water-in-water (w/w) emulsions are attractive microcompartmentalized platforms due to their outstanding biocompatibility. To address the main disadvantage of poor stability that hampers their practical application, here we report a novel type of polymer–protein conjugate emulsifier obtained by Schiff base synthesis to stabilize w/w emulsions. In particular, the proposed mild approach benefits the modification of proteins of suitable size and wettability as particulate emulsifiers retaining their bioactivity. As demonstrated in a model system, the methoxy polyethylene glycol (mPEG)-urease conjugate particles anchor at the w/w interfaces, where they serve as an effective emulsifier-combined-catalyst and catalyze the hydrolysis of urea in water to ammonium carbonate. Our study is unique in that it employs bioactive particles to stabilize w/w emulsions. Considering the characteristics of all-aqueous, compartmental and interfacial biocatalysis of the system, it will open up new possibilities in the life sciences.