The hydration structure of collagen

Abstract

The partially oriented state of water absorbed on bovine achilles tendon has been confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance methods. The average orientation is described in terms of three parameters which have been determined uniquely by using a novel combination of magnetic resonance and dielectric measurements. These parameters allow a series of possible effective orientation axes of the water molecule to be calculated and the water is thought of as spending a part of its time in one of the oriented states represented by these axes, which therefore represents the hydration structure of collagen, and the rest as a part of an isotropic system. The oriented states are discussed in terms of postulated hydration structures. It is concluded that the water exists in continuous chains which may be either fully extended, in a helical configuration of high pitch or in some other periodic conformation.