Effects of modifiers on the optical properties of oxidized cholesterol model membranes

Brewster angle reflections from oxidized cholesterol membranes are described in terms of uniaxial crystal model. The refractive indices perpendicular and parallel to the membrane are 1.515 and 1.555, respectively. A multilayer model was also considered; however, under the approximations used, both models are equivalent and cannot be distinguished. Egg albumin and hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide altered the refractive indices while 2,4-dinitrophenol and valinomycin addition did not produce a detectable change.