Chronopotentiometric studies of phosphatidylcholine bilayers modified by ergosterol

We have monitored the effect of ergosterol on electrical capacitance and electrical resistance of the phosphatidylcholine bilayer membranes using chronopotentiometry method. The chronopotentiometric characteristic of the bilayers depends on constant-current flow through the membranes. For low current values, no electroporation takes place and the membrane voltage rises exponentially to a constant value described by the Ohm's law. Based on these kinds of chronopotentiometric curves, a method of the membrane capacitance and the membrane resistance calculations is presented.

► The effect of ergosterol on capacitance and resistance of the phosphatidylcholine membranes.
► Application of chronopotentiometry to the research of lipid bilayers.
► Simple and precise estimation of membrane parameters.