Am. Schwartz et Ka. Berglund, In situ monitoring and control of lysozyme concentration during crystallization in a hanging drop, J CRYST GR, 210(4), 2000, pp. 753-760
Fiber optic Raman spectroscopy combined with a partial least-squares regres
sion model was demonstrated as a monitor of lysozyme concentration during c
rystallization in a hanging drop experiment in real time. Raman spectral fe
atures of the buffer and protein were employed to build the regression mode
l. The use of fiber optic technology coupled with Raman spectroscopy, which
is ideal for use with aqueous solutions, results in a powerful noninvasive
probe of the changing environment within the solution. Lysozyme concentrat
ions were monitored in experiments at a constant reservoir ionic strength.
Data from these uncontrolled experiments were used to determine rates of su
persaturation, induction times, and the number and size of the resultant ly
sozyme crystals. Control experiments were performed by introducing step cha
nges in the reservoir ionic strength. The step changes were initiated by co
mparing in situ rates of supersaturation with the rates of supersaturation
calculated from the uncontrolled data. Monitoring the concentration changes
of the lysozyme within the hanging drop permits a measurement of the level
of supersaturation of the system and enhances the possibility of dynamic c
ontrol of the crystallization process. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Scien
ce B.V. All rights reserved.