Disruption of reverse micelles and release of trapped ribonuclease A photochemically induced by Malachite Green leuconitrile derivative

Photoinduced disruption of a sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (AOT) reverse micelle is triggered by a Malachite Green leuconitrile derivative (MGL). UV irradiation of MGL solubilized in an AOT-water-chloroform mixture creates a cationic surfactant that interacts electrostatically with the anionic AOT. We investigated the disruption of the reverse micelle by using proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and found that UV irradiation of MGL decreases the number of water molecules solubilized in the interior of the AOT reverse micelles. Furthermore, the photoinduced disruption of the reverse micelle is shown to release ribonuclease A, which is trapped in the water in the interior of the AOT reverse micelle. This photoinduced release may offer a desirable transport system of biopolymers.

Graphical abstractAnionic AOT reverse micelles encapsulate ribonuclease A (RNase) A and Malachite Green derivative (MGL) is solubilized into the reverse micelle solutions. After UV irradiation, MGL transforms into a cationic surfactant that interacts with the anionic AOT, which results in the disruption of the AOT reverse micelles. The trapped RNase A is consequently transferred into the aqueous phase, indicating a novel method for targeted delivery.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (175 K)Download as PowerPoint slideResearch highlights► A Malachite Green derivative undergoes photoionization in reverse micelles. ► The ionized Malachite Green derivative leads to disruption of the reverse micelles. ► Irradiation triggers the release of ribonuclease A trapped in the reverse micelles.