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Updated: Feb 11, 2026

A Tripeptide-Stabilized Nanoemulsion of Oleic Acid
Published on: February 27, 2019
Vesicular nanostructures composed of oleic acid and phosphatidylcholine: Effect of pH and molar ratio
K Talló1, V Moner1, M De Cabo2
1Department of Chemical and Surfactant Technology, Institute of Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), C/Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034, Barcelona, Spain.
Abstract:
Phospholipids and fatty acids are the main building blocks of biological membranes. Oleic acid is a monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acid commonly found in many natural sources. Its characteristic kinked structure grants this molecule with a great number of biological properties. To better understand the role that this kind of fatty acids play into phospholipid membranes, nanostructured systems formed with hydrogenated soy phosphatidylcholine and oleic acid were studied in this work by means of cryo-electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering and differential scanning calorimetry. Differences concerning size, morphology and phase behavior were found when those systems were prepared at different conditions of pH and molar ratio between both compounds. Broadly, it was seen how alkaline mediums and high proportions of oleic acid reduced the size of the structures and increased the fluidity of the membranes. The ease of preparation of these lipid systems, and the response to pH suggests a future use of these systems as model membranes or delivery systems.
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