NOTE Atomic Force Microscopy of Interfacial Protein Films
A BSA protein film formed at the planar interface between the oil and the protein solution. At the concentration employed, the BSA would be ex-Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has been used to image interfapected to form an elastic network at the interface (28). Transfer of the cial films of bovine serum albumen and b-casein produced at hexaprotein film onto mica was carried out using the following procedure: A decane/water and air/water interfaces, respectively. Planar oil/ cut was made in the interface, through the hexadecane layer, using a sharp, water and air/water interfaces have been used to model protein flamed scalpel. A small piece of freshly cleaved mica was inserted into this films such as may form in emulsions and foams. The protein films cut and drawn up horizontally through the protein film. Excess hexadecane were picked up onto mica sheets and imaged under butanol. Both was removed by dipping the mica, with protein film attached, into n-pentane systems studied yielded homogeneous flat networks which could (Aldrich), which was then allowed to evaporate in air prior to examination be imaged at molecular resolution and which demonstrate the with the AFM. potential for using AFM to probe interfacial networks.