Analytical biochemistry, cilt.277, sa.2, ss.243-6, 2000 (SCI-Expanded)
To gain more information about the effect of solvent on alpha-amino acids, the stoichiometric protonation constants of 10 alpha-amino acids (glycine, DL-alanine, DL-valine, L-leucine, L-isoleucine, DL-phenylalanine, L-serine, L-threonine, L-asparagine, and L-glutamine) in different dioxan-water mixtures have been determined potentiometrically using a combined pH electrode system calibrated in concentration units of hydrogen ion at 25 degrees C with an ionic strength of 0.10 M. For all amino acids studied, it was observed that the log K-1 values relating to the protonation equilibria of the anionic form are almost unaltered by the change in solvent composition, However, the log K-2 values corresponding to the formation equilibria of cationic form increase with the increase in dioxan content. The variation of these constants is discussed on the basis of specific solute-solvent interactions and structural changes of amino acids from water to dioxan-water media. The zwitterionic to neutral form ratio of these acids in dioxan-water mixtures is also discussed. (C) 2000 Academic Press.