Characterization of the major protein fraction carmin from safflower seeds (Carthamus tinctorius L.) by dynamic light scattering and circular dichroism spectroscopy

Abstract

Hydrodynamic parameters of the major protein fraction carmin from safflower seed were determined by means of dynamic light scattering. The results indicated a translational diffusion coefficient of (3.81 f 0.06) x cm2 s-l and a STOKES radius of (5.6 f 0.06) nm. The calculated molecular mass M,, was (3.1 f 0.1) x lo5 g/mol and the frictional ratio was 1.25 & 0.05. Evaluation of secondary structure from CD spectra using the method of PROVENCHER and GL~CKNER gave 8 % a-helix, 45 % 8-sheet and 47 % aperiodic structure.These results are discussed in view of structural homology of oilseed proteins.