Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
5371489 Biophysical Chemistry 2010 6 Pages PDF
Abstract

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to analyze the thermotropic phase behavior of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) bilayers in the presence of pentanol isomers. The concentration of each pentanol isomer needed to induce the interdigitated phase was determined by the appearance of a biphasic effect in the main transition temperatures, the onset of a hysteresis associated with the main transition from the gel-to-liquid crystalline phase, and the disappearance of the pretransition. Lower threshold concentrations were found to correlate with isomers of greater alkyl chain length while branching of the alkyl chain was found to increase biphasic behavior. The addition of a methyl group to butanol systems drastically decreased threshold concentrations. However, as demonstrated in the DPPC/neopentanol system, branching of the alkyl chain away from the -OH group lowers the threshold concentration while maintaining a biphasic effect.

Graphical AbstractDownload full-size imageResearch Highlights►Pentanol isomers influence the phase behavior of DPPC bilayers. ►The threshold concentrations for the induction of interdigitated phase correlate with isomers of greater alkyl chain length. ►Branching of the alkyl chain increases biphasic behavior.

Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering Chemistry Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
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