Nucleation of lysozyme crystals under external electric and ultrasonic fields

Preferred orientation along c-axis of hen-egg-white lysozyme (HEWL) crystals has been observed in an external electric field. Besides, the HEWL crystals grew predominantly on the cathode side of the glass cell. These facts were explained on the basis of a concept for specific spatial distribution of the positive electric charges on the individual HEWL molecules, and thus attributed to the (preferred) orientation of individual HEWL molecules in the solution, under these conditions. Ultrasonic field redoubles the nucleation rate of HEWL crystals, but does not change the number of building units in the critical nucleus. Taking into account the intermolecular binding energy, we conclude that ultrasonic field accelerates nucleation due to breaking of the protein crystals.

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