A resonance light scattering ratiometry applied for binding study of organic small molecules with biopolymer

Resonance light scattering (RLS) technique is a creative application of light scattering signals detected by using a common spectrofluorometer, but it has drawbacks such as the fluctuation of signals caused by poorly quantified or variable factors. Herein we develop a RLS ratiometry to overcome the drawbacks of the technique and apply to measure the binding nature of organic small molecules (OSM) with biopolymer using the binding of cation porphyrins with heparin (HP) as an example. In near neutral solution, cationic porphyrins meso-tetrakis [(trimethylammoniumyl) phenyl] porphyrin (TAPP) and meso-tetra (4-methylpyridy) porphyrin (TMPyP-4) interact with heparin, resulting in hypochromatic effect, and enhanced RLS signals. Linear relationship could be established between the ratio of enhanced RLS signals at two wavelengths, where the maximum and minimum are available in the ratio curve of UV–vis spectrum of porphyrin to that of heparin–porphyrin complex, and the logarithm of heparin concentration, and thus a wide dynamic range detection method of biopolymers could be developed. In comparison with RLS method, this RLS ratiometric one is less affected by environmental conditions such as pH, ionic strength. The mechanism of these interactions was investigated based on the charge density distribution of the two porphyrin molecules and it could be concluded that the enhanced RLS intensity is proportionally promoted by the charge capacity of components in the complex. Additionally, the binding number and binding constant were measured scientifically by Scatchard plot.