Sorption Mechanism of Mercuric Ions by Kerateine Gels of Thiol-Type*
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
(49) Vol. 34, No. 9 (1978) T-405 (Received August 22, 1977) SORPTION MECHANISM OF MERCURIC IONS BY KERATEINE GELS OF THIOL-TYPE* By Takeaki Miyamoto, Hiraku Ito, Masao Sugitani, and Hiroshi Inagaki (Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University, Uji/Kyoto 611) Abstract Sorption behavior of Hg2+ by the kerateine gel of thiol-type, which was prepared from wool keratin, was investigated. The behavior was discussed in relation to (i) the amphoteric nature, (ii) the chemical modification of side-chain polar groups, and (iii) the heat denaturation of kerateine gels. It was found that the apparent isoelectric point of the kerateine gel was closely related to the pH at which the Hg 2+ uptake showed the minimum. The Hg 2+ uptakes by modified kerateine gels in acid media depended on their modification history. The results indicated that in acid media, the dominant binding modes of Hg 2+ consist in chemosorption by the thiol as well as amino groups in the kerateine gel and in chelation of Hg2+ through these groups. On the other hand, in neutral and alkaline media, very high Hg2+ uptakes were observed for all types of kerateine gels independent of their modifica tion history. Such high Hg" uptakes could be explained in terms of the cooperative interactions between electron negative atoms incorporated in the kerateine gel, namely, sulphur, nitrogen, and oxygen rather than the ionization effect of the acidic groups present. The swelling volume of the heat-denatured kerateine gels decreased considerably with increasing the treatment temperature, and a good relation was found between the rate of Hg2+ uptake and swelling volume of the gel: the rate of Hg2+ uptake decreased with decrease in the swelling volume. In addition, it is well known that polypeptides INTRODUCTION such as wool kerateine are easy to undergo differ In a previous paper we have reported on the ent types of denaturation.4-6 Especially, heat chemical processings of waste wool fiber to denaturation is accompanied by a decrease in the prepare solid gel-particles (kerateine gels), and solubility. Such solubility change of kerateine their basic characteristics as adsorbent for mercuric molecules7 will affect its sorption behavior of ions.1 The kerateine gels are prepared from soluble Hg2+ The sorption mechanism of Hg2+ to the proteins extracted from wool, and contain a large kerateine gel is a complex matter and has not yet proportion of active thiol groups, which may play been fully understood. an important role in the Hg2+ uptake, especially The present study was intended to investigate in acid media. following three effects on the sorption behavior of Wool kerateine consists of various polypeptides Hg2+ by the kerateine gel of thiol type: (i) Effect which contain not only thiol but also amino, of the amphoteric nature of kerateine gels, (ii) carboxyl, hydroxyl and disulphide groups, 2,3 and Effect of the chemical modification of side-chain the amphoteric nature of kerateine results in the polar groups, and (iii) Effect of the physical different sorption mechanism of Hg` for different modification such as "heat denaturation" pH-region.1 This means that contributions of these EXPERIMENTAL side-chain groups will be involved more or less in the Hg2+ binding, depending on the pH of solution. Materials * Interaction of Wool Kerateine and its Derivatives The kerateine gels of thiol-type were prepared with Heavy Metal Ions (Part II) in the same way as reported previously.1 In Table 1 Part I, this Journal, 34, T-16 (1978) are listed some characteristics of the sample gels T-406 SEN-1 GAKKAI SHI(報 文) (50) Table 1. Characteristics of Kerateine Gels out using a Hitachi Automatic Amino Acid Ana lyser Type KLA-5 (Hitachi Seisakusho Co., Ltd., Tokyo). Table 2 shows the amino acid composi tions of the kerateine gel of thiol-type, WG-T and collagen together with that of native wool. Determination of thiol content a) Each sample (50 mg) was shaken for 1 hr. The thiol content (SH-content) was determined in HgCI2 aqueous solution (25 ml) having by the method of Friedman and Noma.8 The pH 3.5 and 200 ppm of Hg2+ details of experimental conditions has been de used for the present study. Collagen (Bovine scribed before.1 Achilles Tendon) and polyglycine, purchased from Analysis of mercuric ion uptake Sigma Chemical Co., St. Louis, Mo., U.S.A., were The uptake of Hg2+ exhibited by the kerateine used as model polypeptides to be compared with gel was determined with a Shimadzu atomic kerateine gels. absorption spectrometer Model AA-61OS (Shima All chemicals were of laboratory grade quality, dzu Seisakusho Co., Ltd., Kyoto). The details of and they were used without further purification. the determination procedure has been described Standard solution of HgCl2 with a known concen before.1 Experimental conditions specific to the tration of 1000 ppm was obtained from Nakarai present study were as follows: 50 mg of the gel Chemical Co., Ltd., Kyoto. The solutions with was shaken in 75 ml of a buffered aqueous solution lower concentrations were prepared by diluting of HgCl2 with a concentration of 200 ppm at 20•Ž the standard solution appropriately with distilled for lhr. For this purpose Clark-Lubs' buffer water or Clark-Lubs' buffer solution. solutions were used. Unless otherwise stated, the Amino acid analysis values of the Hg2+ uptakes given in this paper are The polypeptides were hydrolysed in 6N HC1 those found under the aforementioned condition. under vacuum for 24 hr at 110•Ž. The HCI was Chemical modification of side-chain polar groups removed by freeze-drying. Analyses were carried Acetylation was carried out by immersing the Table 2. Amino Acid Compositions of Kerateine Gel, Native Wool and Collagen.a a) Values given in moles per 100 moles of amino acids . (51) Vol. 34, No. 9 (1978) T-407 kerateine gel in acetic anhydride and glacial acetic acid with trace quantities of sulphuric acid and dimethylaniline.9 Esterification and deamination were carried out by treating the kerateine gel with methanolie-HCI and with sodium nitrate and glacial acetic acid, respectively.10 The modified kerateine gels were then washed with water and ethanol, and dried under vacuum. Heat treatment of kerateine gels A known weight of kerateine gel was immersed in O2-free water at different temperature for 1 hr. The gels were then filtered, and dried under vacuum and reweighed. No weight decrease was found for the kerateine gels thus denatured by Fig. 1 pH variations of solution medium with this treatment. time for kerateine gel (WG-T2) in the Determination of swelling volume and water-regain absence of HgC12. 1g of the gel was placed in a 2.0 ml cylinder (readable to 0.01 ml) to which I ml of water was added, and then the cylinder was gently tapped. The volume of swollen gel was thus measured at different time according to a procedure employed by Marhol and Cheng.11 The water-regain of the gels was determined as follows: 1 g of the gel was allowed to stand in water at 20•Ž for 1 hr. The gel was then filtered and lightly pressed between filter papers to remove surface moisture. The swollen gel was weighed, and dried under vacuum and reweighed. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Fig. 2 pH variations of solution medium with Effects of amphoteric nature of kerateine gels time for kerateine gel (WG-T2) in the Hg2+ sorption behavior of the kerateine gel in presence of HgCl2. acid media is very complex, as mentioned in our previous paper.' This problem will be dealt with higher than about 3.6 showed a steep decrease in this section on the basis of the amphoteric similar to that in the absence of HgC12. However, nature of kerateine gels . the decrease was followed by a slower decrease The pH of aqueous HgC12 solution medium was which continued up to about 60 min., as seen in changed with time by adding the gel , unless Figure 2. When the initial pH was below 3.6, the buffered.1 Such pH variation will be conditioned pH variation exhibited a maximum. It is obvious by two factors, namely the initial pH of solution that the slowly decreasing region appeared due to medium and the presence of HgCl2 . Figure 1 the uptake process of Hg2+ by the kerateine gel. shows typical pH variations with time for a kera The time dependence of pH variation in this region teine gel, WG-T2 , in the absence of HgC12. The pH is in parallel to that of the Hg 2+ uptake by the values either decreased or increased depending on kerateine gel; the equilibrium uptake was attained the initial pH value (due to the amphoteric nature after 60 min., although a slight increase in the of kerateine gels) uptake was further recognized.1 , but approached their proper equilibrium values after 20 min . In Figure-3 are shown plots of the initial and On the other hand, the pH variation in the equilibrium pH observed for WG-T2 gel in the presence of HgCI2 within an initial pH range absence and presence of HgC12. In the absence of T-408 SEN-I GAKKAISHI(報 文) (52) with increase in the number of protons present in the medium. Effects of side-chain polar groups on Hg 2+ sorption behavior It has been pointed out that active thiol groups contained in the kerateine gel play an important role in the Hg2+ uptake, particularly in acid media.1 However, the kerateine gel contains not only thiol but also amino, carboxyl, hydroxyl and disulphide groups, and it may be expected that these polar groups will contribute more or less to the Hg2+ uptake.