Direct examination of chemical kinetic laws by visual imagery. IV. Association processes between antigen- and fragmented antibody carrying fluorescent latex particles

Abstract

The binary association process was further examined by direct visual observation using a fluorescence microscope connected to an image-processing system and by a spectrophotometric method. In the present paper, we used human serum albumin (HSA)- and fragmented anti-HSA antibody-carrying fluorescent latex particles in order to attain higher sensitivities and exclude complexities that might be caused by dissociation of the association product. The rate constant of the binary association process was estimated to be 6.0 x 10(8) M-1 s-1 at 30 degrees C and pH 7.6. The activation parameters of the association process were evaluated. The effects of pH and viscosity of the suspension on the association process were also examined.