A database of lipid phase transition temperatures and enthalpy changes

Area of Science:

• Lipidomics and Biophysical Chemistry
• Materials Science and Nanotechnology

Background:

• Decades of research on synthetic and biological lipid mesomorphic phase properties have generated vast data.
• Existing lipid phase behavior data are fragmented across numerous publications, hindering comprehensive analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create a centralized database consolidating scattered lipid phase behavior information.
• To facilitate a comprehensive review of the field, identify research gaps, and elucidate fundamental physicochemical principles governing lipid behavior.

Main Methods:

• Compilation of mesomorphic and polymorphic phase transition temperatures and enthalpy changes for diverse lipid states (dry, hydrated).
• Inclusion of data on the influence of pH, salt/metal ion concentration, and additives (proteins, drugs) on thermodynamic values.
• Detailed reporting of experimental methods, conditions, and bibliographic references for 9500 records.

Main Results:

• A comprehensive database containing 9500 records, current through June 1990, with each record comprising 28 fields.
• Tabulation of phase transition temperatures and enthalpy changes for synthetic and biologically derived lipids.
• Inclusion of factors affecting thermodynamic values and experimental methodologies.

Conclusions:

• The database provides a unified resource for evaluating lipid phase behavior data.
• Enables identification of data deficits and fundamental physicochemical principles.
• Enhances understanding of lipid phase relations in biological, reconstituted, and formulated systems.