ABSTRACT We designed and synthesized a series of tripeptides containing Leucine, Methionine, Valene and α-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib) using solution techniques. The peptide Boc-Leu-Met-Val-OMe 1 was adopted from amyloid fragment Aβ 34-36. The peptide Boc-Leu-Met-Aib-OMe 2 is an Aib analogue of peptide 1. Interestingly, the peptide 2 formed organogel in various organic solvents such as toluene, xylene, and 1,2-di-chlorobenzene. The Aib analogue 2 shows a minimum gelation concentration of 20 mg/mL in toluene. However, the peptide 1 fails to form gel under the same condition. From the rheology study, it is understood that the gel is elastic in nature. The storage modulus of the gel was about an order of magnitude large than the loss modulus. The Aib analogue 2 gel exhibits excellent self-standing, shape-persistent and self-healing properties.
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