Characterization of DODAB/DPPC vesicles

Dioctadecyldimethylammonium bromide (DODAB)/dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) large and cationic vesicles obtained by vortexing a lipid film in aqueous solution and above the mean phase transition temperature (Tm) are characterized by means of determination of phase behaviour, size distribution, zeta-potential analysis and colloid stability. The effect of increasing % DODAB over the 0–100% range was a nonmonotonic phase behaviour. At 50% DODAB, the mean phase transition temperature and the colloid stability were at maximum. There is an intimate relationship between stability of the bilayer structure and colloid stability. In 1, 50 and 150 mM NaCl, the colloid stability for pure DPPC or pure DODAB vesicles was very low as observed by sedimentation or flocculation, respectively. In contrast, at 50% DODAB, remarkable colloid stability was achieved in 1, 50 or 150 mM NaCl for the DODAB/DPPC composite vesicles. Vesicle size decreased but the zeta-potential remained constant with % DODAB, due to a decrease of counterion binding with vesicle size. This might be important for several biotechnological applications currently being attempted with cationic bilayer systems.