Question

Please explain why BSA protein is insoluble in DCM and DMSO, but is soluble in water. Please explain in terms of chemical structure, bonds that are forming between them, and in terms of pH if possible. It should be very detailed 5-7 sentences.

Answer 1

BSA is a water-soluble protein that is widely used in the biochemical, pharmaceutical, and food industries. The molecule possesses two amino acids, one between repeating units and the other in the ring besides the many hydroxyl groups. Due to this interesting structure, BSA has the ability to form hydrogen bonds both within its own structure and with polar solvents like H₂O, providing BSA significant solubility or a tendency to form molecular associations. The fact that BSA has hydrogen bonding within its own structure, it interacts with the solvent through hydrogen bonds and is an important fact to be taken into account in the BSA-water system.

Generally its solution in water has been prepared at lower pH values (less than 7). so amino groups remain in their ammonium form (cation form) and get easily solubilised in water which contains high concentration of inorganic salt or electrolyte (ion-ion interactions between protein and electrolyte).

BSA denatures and insoluble in DMSO and likely in all organic solvents.