Shelter for Biologically Relevant Molecules: Photoprotection and Enhanced Thermal Stability of Folic Acid Loaded in a ZIF-8 MOF Porous Host

TUNINETTI, JIMENA S.; SERRANO, MARIANA P.; THOMAS, ANDRÉS H.; AZZARONI, OMAR; RAFTI, MATÍAS

INDUSTRIAL & ENGINEERING CHEMICAL RESEARCH

AMER CHEMICAL SOC

Año: 2020

0888-5885

We hereby propose the use of ZIF-8 MOF (a biocompatibleporous material belonging to the zeolitic imidazolate framework subclass), ashost for the biologically relevant molecules folic acid (PteGlu). It wasdemonstrated that PteGlu loading can be achieved via straightforward one-potencapsulation procedure without compromising ZIF-8 crystalline structure, giventhat suitable molar ratios of metal precursor, linker, and guest molecule are employed.The PteGlu@ZIF-8 composite thus synthesized brings two novel interestingfeatures; increased thermal stability and a remarkable photoprotection effect ofthe highly photolabile PteGlu molecule. Both features are very relevant forcommon uses of PteGlu, such as production of folate enriched food.