Gel growth of lysozyme crystals studied by small angle neutron scattering: case of silica gel, a nucleation inhibitor

Silica gels were used as a media for crystal growth of hen egg white lysozyme crystals. Using small angle neutron scattering, gel-free solutions have been compared to gelled samples in the pre-nucleation period and in the growth period. Characterisation of the protein solution trapped in the gel network shows an adsorption of protein on the gel surface through electrostatic and most probably through hydrogen bonding interactions. The consecutive decrease of concentration is consistent with the decrease of the nucleation rate with respect to gel-free solutions, By modification of the gel surface, we succeeded in increasing the number of nuclei. Growth occurs by incorporation of free molecules and in a second stage, by incorporation of molecules which are progressively desorbed. This provides a relatively constant concentration of the free molecules. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.