Growth and structure of α-lactalbumin nanotubes

Partial hydrolysis of α‐lactalbumin by a protease from Bacillus licheniformis under appropriate conditions leads to the formation of nanotubular structures. The growth of α‐lactalbumin nanotubes and their dimensions were analysed using transmission electron microscopy, static light scattering and small‐angle X‐ray scattering. The scattering data were fitted using a model describing the growth of the tubes and using the form factor of a hollow tube. The cylinder diameter was calculated to be 19.9 (2) nm and the cavity diameter 8.7 (7) nm. The elongation rate of the nanotubes was about 10 nm min−1 under the experimental conditions.