Dependence of liquid crystal morphology on phospholipid hydrocarbon length

The liquid crystal morphologies of symmetrical diacy phosphatidylcholine liposomes examined in this research study were found to be dependent on saturated hydrocarbon chain length. Both powder X-ray diffraction and synchrotron mid-IR spectromicroscopy indicate that phosphatidylcholines with short hydrocarbon tails (i.e. ten and twelve carbons) are more likely to form unilamellar liposomes while those with long hydrocarbon tails (i.e. eighteen and twenty carbons) are more likely to form multilamellar liposomes. Hydrocarbon chain lengths of fourteen and sixteen represent a transitional zone between these two liquid crystal morphologies. The FTIR spectra where a shoulder develops on the peak at wavenumber 1750 cm−1 particularly highlights the change in the packing of adjacent molecules in the transitional zone.

Graphical abstractUsing the gentle hydration of the thin film, liposomes are formed which are dependent on the chemistry of the saturated symmetrical diacyl phospholipids. Phosphatidylcholine with a hydrocarbon chain length greater than 16 carbons for a multilamellar liposomes while PC with less than 14 carbons form unilamellar liposomes.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights►We measured the effect of hydrocarbon length on the effect of liposome wall structures using the gentile hydration of saturated symmetrical diacyl phospholipid thin films. ► Chain lengths greater than 16 carbons on phosphatidylcholine produced multilamellar liposomes. ► Chain lengths less than 14 carbons on phosphatidylcholine produced unilamellar liposomes.