Effect of ultraviolet irradiation on photostability of C-phycocyanin in a silica matrix

Application of protein encapsulation silica materials requires biomolecules to maintain stabilization on potentially adverse industrial conditions. The C-phycocyanin (C-PC) is chosen as a probe to monitor influence of the protein encapsulation process and to study protein and matrix interaction and stability of protein in silica matrix. Both C-PCs in solution and in silicate matrix irradiated by ultraviolet rays can result in photodestruction, whereas the protein in the silica is less affected. The measured photodamage rate constant of C-PC in silica is 25 times slower than that of C-PC in buffer solution. However, lifetimes of C-phycocyanin in phosphate buffer and silica matrix are identical. These studies suggest that entrapment of C-PCs into silica matrixes not only can keep their biological activity and obviously also improve their photostability.