Zein dynamic adsorption to carboxylic and alkyl coated surfaces.

The adsorption of a commercial zein sample on carboxylic (COOH) and alkyl (CH(3)) surfaces was monitored by high time resolution surface plasmon resonance. Zein showed higher affinity and higher mass adsorption on carboxylic than alkyl surfaces. A zein layer specific for each surface was obtained after flushing off loosely bound zein with 75% 2-propanol solutions. Zein deposits were examined under atomic force microscopy. Differences in layer thickness between carboxylic and alkyl surfaces were explained in terms of zein adsorption footprint.