Circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy is an analytical technique used to study the optical activity of chiral molecules. It measures the difference in the absorption of left-handed and right-handed circularly polarized light by a sample. This difference arises due to the structural asymmetry in chiral molecules, making CD spectroscopy particularly useful for analyzing the secondary and tertiary structures of proteins, nucleic acids, and other optically active biomolecules.

In CD spectroscopy, the resulting spectrum provides information about the conformational properties of the molecule, such as the presence of alpha-helices, beta-sheets, and random coils in proteins. This technique is widely used in biochemistry and structural biology to monitor changes in molecular conformation under different environmental conditions, interactions with other molecules, and during folding or denaturation processes. CD spectroscopy is valued for its sensitivity, non-destructive nature, and ability to provide real-time insights into molecular structure and dynamics.

Precious Obiako

Collom C, Fox D, Ong K, Shatkin JA, Sayes C. A comparative analysis of microfibrillated versus conventional cellulose after enzymatic digestions. Cellulose. 2024 May 28:1-5.