Structural changes of casein micelles in a calcium gradient film

Macromol Biosci. 2008 Apr 9;8(4):347-54. doi: 10.1002/mabi.200700203.

Abstract

Calcium gradients are prepared by sequentially filling a micropipette with casein solutions of varying calcium concentration and spreading them on glass slides. The casein film is formed by a solution casting process, which results in a macroscopically rough surface. Microbeam grazing incidence small-angle X-ray scattering (microGISAXS) is used to investigate the lateral size distribution of three main components in casein films: casein micelles, casein mini-micelles, and micellar calcium phosphate. At length scales within the beam size the film surface is flat and detection of size distribution in a macroscopic casein gradient becomes accessible. The model used to analyze the data is based on a set of three log-normal distributed particle sizes. Increasing calcium concentration causes a decrease in casein micelle diameter while the size of casein mini-micelles increases and micellar calcium phosphate particles remain unchanged.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biotechnology / methods
  • Calcium / chemistry*
  • Calcium Phosphates / chemistry
  • Caseins / chemistry*
  • Electrolytes
  • Micelles*
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Models, Statistical
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry
  • Particle Size
  • Scattering, Radiation
  • Surface Properties

Substances

  • Calcium Phosphates
  • Caseins
  • Electrolytes
  • Micelles
  • calcium phosphate
  • Calcium