Monitoring the non-specific interactions of catechin through diffusion measurements based on pulsed-field gradients

The self-association of aqueous catechin as a function of concentration was monitored through variations in 1H chemical shifts, proton T1 and T2 data and translational diffusion coefficients obtained with the pulsed-field gradient spin-echo method. The latter approach is very efficient and it is not restricted to aromatic compounds. Equilibrium constants were estimated for various models of self-association and the apparent enthalpy of dissociation was measured with isothermal titration calorimetry. Comparison of the latter parameter with thermodynamic data reported for various types of non-specific interactions suggests that such phenomena could be studied using this approach. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.