Rational Formation of Peptides Hybrid Nanoflower With Its Enzyme-Mimic and Antimicrobial Activities

In this study, we develop, for the first time, the synthesis of novel peptide-inorganic hybridnanoflowers (HNFs) formed of tripeptide as an organic component and copper (II) ion as aninorganic component in phosphate buffer saline (PBS) solution and to cast light on theirperoxidase mimic and antimicrobial activities. The peptide used in the HNF was synthesizedfrom three nonpolar and hydrophobic amino acids (glycine, leucine and phenylalanine). Thepresence of abundantly nonpolar R groups, Cu2+ ions and pores in the HNFs are relativelyresponsible in performing their peroxidase mimic activity by oxidation of guaiacol to colored3,3-dimethoxy-4,4-diphenoquinone in the presence of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) based onmechanism of Fenton-like reaction. The number of hydrophobic sites in the the HNFs andaforementioned factors above may play roles in denaturing bacterial cell membrane and lead toeventual cell death.</p