Insulin – Hydrophobic

Insulin (/ˈɪn.sjʊ.lɪn/, from Latin insula, ‘island’) is a peptide hormone produced by beta cells of the pancreatic islets; it is considered to be the main anabolic hormone of the body. It regulates the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and protein by promoting the absorption of glucose from the blood into liver, fat and skeletal muscle cells. In these tissues the absorbed glucose is converted into either glycogen via glycogenesis or fats (triglycerides) via lipogenesis, or, in the case of the liver, into both. Glucose production and secretion by the liver is strongly inhibited by high concentrations of insulin in the blood. Circulating insulin also affects the synthesis of proteins in a wide variety of tissues. It is therefore an anabolic hormone, promoting the conversion of small molecules in the blood into large molecules inside the cells. Low insulin levels in the blood have the opposite effect by promoting widespread catabolism, especially of reserve body fat. [Wikipedia]

The graph shows the SERS spectrum of 10 mM aqueous solution of Insulin on S-Silver hydrophilic substrate.

Laser wavelength: 785 nm
Laser power: 20 mW
Integration time: 4 seconds
Raman Spectrometer: B&WTEK
Lens magnification: 50x
Sampling method: immersion
The substrate used: S-Silver hydrophilic (interchangeably, you can use one of our substrates)