4. Conclusions
In this research, the enantioselective interactions between L-Lac/DLac and HSA were investigated using multi-spectroscopic methods and molecular modelling. The binding mechanisms of lactic acid enantiomers with HSA were investigated to obtain important information, including the binding constants, binding energy, binding sites, binding forces, and conformational changes. Fluorescence quenching of HSA by lactic acid enantiomers could be caused by forming the protein-ligand ground-state complex, and thermodynamic analysis shows evidence of the interaction force type, which agrees with the results of molecular docking. The CD, synchronous and 3D fluorescence results show that the binding of lactic acid enantiomers results in slight microenvironmental and conformational changes of HSA. These results provide useful information for understanding the delivery process of lactic acid enantiomers in vivo. Taking lactic acid enantiomers as an example, the chiral binding mechanisms of HSA with L-Lac/D-Lac yield potential data for understanding the interaction patterns of HSA with other chiral molecules used as food ingredients (e.g. tartaric acid enantiomers, glucose enantiomers.). The study is thus valuable for reinforcing the supervision of food nutrition and safety.