Neutron reflectivity study of the adsorption of beta-lactoglobulin at a hydrophilic solid/liquid interface

Adsorption of a globular protein on a hydrophilic solid/liquid interface wa s investigated, Neutron reflectivity was used to determine structural infor mation on an adsorbed beta-lactoglobulin layer at a hydrophilic silicon sur face. The thickness of the protein film was found to be compatible with the diameter of the native protein, indicating that possible conformational ch anges of the protein during adsorption are not gross enough to alter the sh ape of the protein. The amount adsorbed is consistent with that derived by our ellipsometry measurements, obtained in similar experiments. Evidence fo r significant H-D exchange in the adsorbed protein was found. (C) 1999 Acad emic Press.