Spectroscopic Investigation on Sonocatalytic Damage of BSA Molecules by FeIII Complexes with Binary Organic Acid Ligands Under Ultrasonic Irradiation

The interaction between bovine serum albumin (BSA) and FeIII complexes with three binary organic acid (biorga) ligands, [FeIII(oxa)(H2O)4]+ (oxa = oxalic acid), [FeIII(pra)(H2O)4]+ (pra = propanedioic acid) and [FeIII(sua)(H2O)4]+ (sua = succinic acid), as well as the sonocatalytic damage of BSA in the presence of these three FeIII–biorga complexes under ultrasonic irradiation, were studied by UV–vis and fluorescence spectra. The experimental results show that the fluorescence quenching process of BSA caused by three FeIII–biorga complexes are all static quenching and the corresponding quenching rate constants (K q), equilibrium constants (K A) and the binding site numbers (n) were calculated. The results reveal that, under ultrasonic irradiation, the BSA molecules were obviously damaged by these FeIII–biorga complexes. In addition, the effects of several factors on the damage of BSA molecules were examined. The experimental results demonstrate that the damage degree of BSA increased with an increase of ultrasonic irradiation time, FeIII–biorga complex concentration, and ionic strength. In comparison, [FeIII(pra)(H2O)4]+ exhibited higher sonocatalytic activity than [FeIII(oxa)(H2O)4]+ and [FeIII(sua)(H2O)4]+. Finally, the extent of generation of \( \cdot {\text{O}}_{2}^{ - } \)and ·OH during sonocatalytic processes was estimated. Perhaps, the results will be significant for promoting sonodynamic treatment (SDT) of tumors at the molecular level.