Biology: The Chiral Molecules

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1. Introduction

Many biomolecules besides amino acid are chiral, which contain one or more asymmetric carbon. Recently, the studies of the chiral molecules in the biological assembly system have been a subject to an extensive research. In order to improve the biosensor detection level, several research has been carried out, especially in the electrochemistry based research. In this study, collagen is used with the combination of carbon nanotubes to create a new bio-composite compound. However, this new type of bio-composite compound for certain need to go through some analyzation in order to improve the condition of the new bio-composite produced.

Collagen can act as a very good matrix when combined with the carbon nanotube to produce a new bio-composite compound. Collagen is a protein that supports and connects bodily tissue, such as skin, bone, tendons, muscles, and cartilage. Besides that, it also supports the internal organ and present in the teeth. Over 25 types of collagen occur naturally in the body. It is also one of the plentiful proteins that present in the mammal’s body including humans. Furthermore, 25 percent of the total amount of protein is made up of collagen. Collagen exhibits great tensile strength and functions in a manner which makes it different from other types of protein. The collagen can be found inside and outside of the cell. In addition, collagen fibers are important in contributing to the external structure of cells and also present inside of some cells.

Carbon nanotubes (CNT) are one of the types of carbon, which is in cylindrical nanostructures form. Nanotubes are one of the members of the fullerene structural family. Their name is obtained from the long hollow structure ...

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...c│= 2.303 RT/nF

In a reversible reaction, the concentration is related to the peak current by Randles-Sevcik equation:

ip = 2.686 × 105 n3/2 Ac0 D1/2 v1/2

where ip is the peak current in Ampere

A is the electrode area (cm2)

D is the diffusion coefficient (cm2 s-1)

c0 is the concentration in mol cm-3

v is the scan rate in Vs-1

The advantage of the CV is it provides a fast and simple method for initial characterization of a redox-active system. Besides that, it also provides the rate information about the rate of electron transfer between the electrode and analyte and also the stability of analyte in the electrolyzed oxidation states.

1.3.2 OBJECTIVES

1. To characterize collagen/multiwalled carbon nanotubes by using electrochemical method.

2. To find the optimized scan rate, pH, temperature, applied potential and potential cycling.