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Published on: July 10, 2016
Formation of biocompatible reversed micellar systems using phospholipids
1Institute of Applied Biochemistry, University of Tsukuba, Tennodai 1-1-1, Tsukuba, 305-8572, Ibaraki, Japan
Biochemical Engineering Journal
|November 18, 2000
Summary
Biocompatible reversed micellar systems were formed using soybean lecithin or phosphatidylcholine with fatty acid esters. These systems efficiently extract proteins like cytochrome c, showing potential in pharmaceutical and food industries.
Area of Science:
- Biocompatible materials science
- Supramolecular chemistry
- Colloid and surface chemistry
Background:
- Reversed micellar systems offer unique microenvironments for chemical and biological applications.
- Biocompatible amphiphilic molecules are crucial for developing safe and effective delivery systems.
- Soybean lecithin (SL) and phosphatidylcholine (PC) are readily available, biocompatible phospholipids.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the formation and characterization of reversed micellar systems using biocompatible soybean lecithin and phosphatidylcholine.
- To determine the influence of organic solvents and salt concentration on micelle properties.
- To demonstrate the application of these systems in protein extraction.
Main Methods:
- Formation of reversed micelles using soybean lecithin (SL) or phosphatidylcholine (PC) with fatty acid ethyl esters (e.g., ethyl caproate, ethyl oleate) or fatty acids (e.g., oleic acid).
- Characterization of micelle structure and size using small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS).
- Investigation of the effect of varying water and salt concentrations on micelle formation and dimensions.
Main Results:
- Reversed micelles were successfully formed in SL/ethyl caproate, SL/ethyl oleate, SL/ethyl linoleate, PC/ethyl caproate, and PC/oleic acid systems.
- Spherical reversed micelles with a radius of gyration of approximately 40Å were observed at maximal water content in SL/ethyl caproate, SL/ethyl oleate, and PC/ethyl caproate systems.
- Increased salt concentration in the aqueous phase led to decreased maximal water content and smaller micelle sizes.
Conclusions:
- Biocompatible reversed micellar systems can be effectively formed using soybean-derived phospholipids and fatty acid esters.
- These systems exhibit tunable properties influenced by salt concentration, making them adaptable for specific applications.
- The demonstrated extraction of cytochrome c highlights the potential of these reversed micelles in pharmaceutical and food processing industries.
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