Human serum albumin-coated gold nanoparticles for selective extraction of lysozyme from real-world samples prior to capillary electrophoresis

This study describes the use of human serum albumin (HSA)-modified gold nanoparticles (HSA-AuNPs) for the selective extraction and enrichment of high-pI protein, lysozyme (Lyz) prior to analysis by capillary electrophoresis (CE) with UV detection. HSA-AuNPs are capable of extracting Lyz from a complex matrix because a HSA capping layer not only stabilizes gold nanoparticles in a high-salt environment but also exhibits strong electrostatic attraction with Lyz under neutral pH condition. Efficient separation of Lyz and other high-pI proteins has been successfully achieved by the filling of cationic polyelectrolyte, poly(diallydimethylammonium chloride) (PDDAC), to the background electrolyte. After capturing Lyz with HSA-AuNPs, PDDAC-filled CE can be directly used for the analysis of the extracted Lyz without the addition of the releasing agent into the extractor. The extraction efficiency relied on the pH of the solution and the concentration of HSA-AuNPs. Under optimal extraction conditions, the limit of detection at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3 for Lyz was down to 8 nM. The combination of HSA-AuNP extraction and PDDAC-filled CE has been applied the analyses of Lyz in hen egg white, human milk, and human tear. Also, this NP-based extraction can be coupled to matrix-assisted desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.