A neutron scattering study on the stability of trehalose mycolates under thermal stress

The present paper is focused on the study of the dynamics of mycolic acids, which are fundamental components of the outer membrane (mycomembrane) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. An elastic neutron scattering study of mycolic acid/H2O and lecithin/H2O mixtures as a function of temperature and exchanged wavevector Q has been carried out.This study provides an effective way for characterizing the dynamical properties, furnishing a set of parameters characterizing the different flexibility and rigidity of the investigated lipids. The behavior of the elastically scattered intensity profiles and the derived mean square displacements as a function of temperature shows a more marked temperature dependence for lecithin lipids in comparison with mycolic acids, so revealing a higher thermal stability of these latter. These findings could be useful for understanding the dynamics-function relation in the mycomembrane and then to relate it to the low permeability and high resistance of mycobacteria to many antibiotics.

Highlights► Neutron scattering measurements have been performed on mycolate water mixtures. ► A comparison with lecithin lipid water mixtures has been carried out. ► Mycolates show a lower mobility and flexibility compared to lecithin. ► The observed peculiarities of mycolic acids could be ascribed to trehalose. ► The results could justify the high resistance to thermal stress of mycobacteria.