Publications Repository - Gdańsk University of Technology

Page settings

polski
Publications Repository
Gdańsk University of Technology

Treść strony

Interactions in Ternary Aqueous Solutions of NMA and Osmolytes—PARAFAC Decomposition of FTIR Spectra Series

Intermolecular interactions in aqueous solutions are crucial for virtually all processes in living cells. ATR-FTIR spectroscopy is a technique that allows changes caused by many types of such interactions to be registered; however, binary solutions are sometimes difficult to solve in these terms, while ternary solutions are even more difficult. Here, we present a method of data pretreatment that facilitates the use of the Parallel Factor Analysis (PARAFAC) decomposition of ternary solution spectra into parts that are easier to analyze. Systems of the NMA–water–osmolyte-type were used to test the method and to elucidate information on the interactions between N-Methylacetamide (NMA, a simple peptide model) with stabilizing (trimethylamine N-oxide, glycine, glycine betaine) and destabilizing osmolytes (n-butylurea and tetramethylurea). Systems that contain stabilizers change their vibrational structure to a lesser extent than those with denaturants. Changes in the latter are strong and can be related to the formation of direct NMA–destabilizer interactions.

Authors