Biomimetic synthesis of superparamagnetic iron oxide particles in proteins

Matrix-mediated in situ synthesis of monodispersed magnetite and maghemite nanoparticles (2-16 nm) was carried out using the cavities present in gels of globular proteins such as egg white and bovine serum albumin. Under stringent conditions, spatial-charge-distribution-assisted molecular recognition of proteins for inorganic ions led to the site- and polymorph-specific synthesis of superparamagnetic iron oxide particles. A transformation from magnetite to maghemite as a nucleating phase could be observed by partially denaturing the egg white protein, signifying the delicate role of quaternary structure of proteins under different reaction conditions, in determining the size and shape of the polymorph.