Fourier transform infrared spectra of aqueous protein mixtures using a novel attenuated total internal reflectance cell with infrared fibers.

A specially designed cell containing a silver halide (AgBr:AgCl) infrared fiber allows convenient and reproducible loading of viscous protein solutions and suspensions. Attenuated total internal reflectance measurements using an FTIR spectrometer were made for bovine serum albumin-water past. Dynamic changes in the protein films are readily followed, a technique which should be generally useful. A band assigned to a secondary structural feature, the alpha-helix, is similar in intensity to that reported (T.M. Fong, M.G. McNamee, submitted for publication).