Study to explore diverse interactions of amino acids and vitamin molecule in aqueous environment

ABSTRACT

Physico-chemical study of solute–solvent interactions in phenylalanine, histidine and aqueous solution of nicotinic acid (vitamin) has been investigated by thermophysical properties. The apparent molar volume (ϕ), viscosity B-coefficient and molal refraction (R_M) of phenylalanine and histidine have been studied in 0.01, 0.03 and 0.05 mol dm⁻³ aqueous vitamin solutions at different temperatures. Using the density data, Masson equation has been employed to obtain the limiting apparent molar volumes (ϕ) and experimental slopes (), which deduced the solute–solvent and solute–solute interactions, respectively. Using the Jones–Dole equation, the viscosity data were examined to determine the viscosity A and B coefficient. The Lorentz–Lorenz equation has been employed to determine the molar refractions (RM). The overall results established the strong solute–solvent interactions between the studied amino acids and vitamin mixture in the ternary solutions. UV-visible absorption spectra of the ternary solutions also stand in support of the results obtained.

KEYWORDS:

• Apparent molar volume
• solute–solvent interaction
• solute–solute interaction
• amino acids
• vitamin and UV-visible spectra

Acknowledgement

The authors are thankful to the Departmental Special Assistance Scheme, Department of Chemistry, NBU under the University Grants Commission, New Delhi (No. 540/27/DRS/2007, SAP-1) for financial backing and instrumental services in order to continue this research work. Milan Chandra Roy is also grateful to ‘UGC Research Fellowship in Science for Meritorious Students’ Ref UGC Letter no. F.7-133/2007(BSR) under SAP, for sanctioning research fellowship and financial support. One of the authors, Prof. M. N. Roy is thankful to University Grant Commission, New Delhi, and Government of India for being endowed one-time grant under Basic Scientific Research via the Grant-in-Aid No. F.4-10/2010 (BSR) regarding his active service for augmenting of research amenities to enable further research work.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the University Grants Commission, New Delhi; [540/27/DRS/2007]; ‘UGC Research Fellowship in Science for Meritorious Students’ Ref UGC; [F.7-133/2007(BSR)]; University Grant Commission, New Delhi; Government of India for being endowed one time grant under Basic Scientific Research; [F.4-10/2010].