Steric-Induced Effects on Stabilizing a Lamellar Structure

Author(s)

Gerbelli, Barbara B. ^[1] ; Rubim, Rafael L. ^[1] ; Silva, Emerson R. ^[1] ; Nallet, Frederic ^[2] ; Navailles, Laurence ^[2] ; Oliveira, Cristiano L. P. ^[1] ; de Oliveira, Elisabeth A. ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Fis, BR-05314970 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Bordeaux, Ctr Rech Paul Pascal, CNRS, F-33600 Pessac - France

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Langmuir; v. 29, n. 45, p. 13717-13722, NOV 12 2013.
• Web of Science Citations: 4

Abstract

We investigate the behavior of multilamellar phases composed of lecithin and a commercial cosurfactant (Simusol), which is a mixture of ethoxylated fatty acids. Using X-ray scattering and a new procedure to fit the data, relevant parameters characterizing the lamellar structure were determined as a function of membrane composition, varying from 100% of lecithin to 100% of Simulsol. Scattering data illustrating the swelling of the lamellae for different amounts of cosurfactant are presented with the respective behavior of the Caille parameter. With this experimental approach, we show that the incorporation of ethoxy brushes onto the lipid surface enhances repulsive interactions arising from membrane fluctuations and changes the interactions at the interface between bilayers. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/16149-8 - Interactions between lipid bilayers - the role of the membrane bending rigidity constant
• Grantee: Rafael Leite Rubim
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master