Interaction of colloidal zinc oxide nanoparticles with bovine serum albumin and its adsorption isotherms and kinetics

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are widely used in medical, industrial and household application owing to excellent antimicrobial property. The biocompatibility of nanoparticles is important for specific biomedical applications. The aim of this study was to stabilize and biofunctionalize ZnO NPs using bovine serum albumin (BSA). Here we have investigated the adsorption behavior of BSA onto ZnO NPs in aqueous solutions. Influence of pH on the adsorption of BSA onto ZnO NPs was also investigated. The study suggests that the electrostatic force of attraction favors the adsorption of BSA onto ZnO NPs. The adsorption data fitted well by Freundlich isotherm compared to Langmuir isotherm. The kinetics of adsorption fitted best to pseudo-second-order.

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► Bovine serum albumin (BSA) stabilizes zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs).
► Adsorption of BSA on ZnO NPs was determined by UV–visible spectral studies.
► Adsorption equilibrium isotherms fitted well by the Freundlich isotherm.
► Kinetics of adsorption fitted by pseudo-second-order.
► Adsorption varies with pH of the interaction medium.