Preparation of a novel functionalized magnetic nanobiocomposite as a carrier for protein adsorption

This study aims the synthesis of a novel functionalized magnetic nanocarrier based on xanthan gum biopolymer. Glycidyl methacrylate was grafted on xanthan gum chains by radical polymerization reaction using two types of initiators: ammonium persulfate and benzoyl peroxide. Characterization studies of the magnetic nanocarrier were performed using several instruments such as Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Energy-Dispersive-X-Ray Spectroscopy, X-Ray Diffraction Spectroscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy, Mossbauer Spectroscopy, and Vibrating Sample Magnetometer. According to the Vibrating Sample Magnetometer data and Mossbauer analysis, Fe atoms were incorporated successfully in the polymer chains in Fe³⁺ state and magnetic nanocarrier has super-paramagnetic behavior, respectively. Epoxy groups on magnetic nanoparticles were converted to carboxylic acid groups using iminodiacetic acid and then tested to usability as a carrier for immobilization of proteins such as albumin, lipase and cytochrome c. The adsorption of albumin and lipase on magnetic nanoparticles were pH-dependent while cytochrome c was immobilized in a wide range of pH value. The calculated maximum experimental immobilization capacity of magnetic nanoparticles was 65.10 mg g⁻¹, 62.0 mg g⁻¹ and 188.0 mg g⁻¹ for albumin, lipase and cytochrome c, respectively. Experimental data fitted to Langmuir isotherm better than Freundlich. The rate of cytochrome c adsorption followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic. Results showed that the functionalized magnetic nanoparticles can be effectively used as a carrier for protein separations, especially for cytochrome c. Moreover, the functionalized magnetic nanocarrier had high affinity to Cytochrome c protein even in multiple protein systems.