Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 22, 2025

Crystallizing Membrane Proteins for Structure Determination using Lipidic Mesophases
Published on: November 21, 2010
Modulating the crystallization of phytosterols with monoglycerides in the binary mixture systems: mixing behavior and
Mohd Dona Bin Sintang1, Sabine Danthine2, Dmitry Khalenkow3
1Food Technology and Bioprocessing Program, Faculty of Food Science and Nutrition, University Malaysia Sabah, Malaysia; Vandemoortele Centre Lipid Science and Technology, Laboratory of Food Technology and Engineering, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Belgium.
Monoglycerides (MGs) alter phytosterols (PSs) crystallization and crystal forms, creating eutectic mixtures. This improves PSs formulation in food and pharmaceuticals by modifying their thermal and physical properties.
Area of Science:
- Food Science
- Materials Science
- Physical Chemistry
Background:
- Phytosterols (PSs) have limited solubility, hindering their use as cholesterol regulators.
- Monoglycerides (MGs) can modulate PSs crystallization behavior to improve their properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mixing behavior and phase behavior of binary mixtures of MGs and PSs.
- To understand how MGs affect the thermal, morphological, diffraction, and spectroscopic properties of PSs.
Main Methods:
- Preparation of binary mixtures of MGs and PSs at 11 different ratios.
- Analysis using thermal analysis (DSC), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), and Raman spectroscopy.
Main Results:
- Eutectic mixtures formed at 90:10 and 80:20 (MGs:PSs) ratios, exhibiting a single melting profile and reduced enthalpy.
- Changes in crystalline forms were observed via PXRD, correlating with altered thermal properties.
- Raman spectroscopy indicated modifications in peak intensities and shapes.
Conclusions:
- MGs effectively modify PSs crystallization and alter their crystal forms, forming eutectic mixtures.
- This interaction enhances the formulation potential of PSs in food and pharmaceutical applications.
- Complexation with MGs offers a simple method to modify PSs crystal forms.
More Related Videos
11:27A Package of Established Analytical Tools to Investigate the Solid-State Alteration of Lipid-Based Excipients
Published on: August 9, 2022
06:31Studying Surfactant Effects on Hydrate Crystallization at Oil-Water Interfaces Using a Low-Cost Integrated Modular Peltier Device
Published on: March 18, 2020
Related Concept Videos
Biosynthesis of Lipids
Factors Affecting Dissolution: Polymorphism, Amorphism and Pseudopolymorphism
Some polymorphic crystals possess lower aqueous solubility than their amorphous counterparts, leading to incomplete absorption. For instance, the oral suspension of Chloramphenicol, which...
Recrystallization: Solid–Solution Equilibria
Crystal Growth: Principles of Crystallization
Initiating crystallization involves manipulating the concentration of the solute and the temperature of the solution. Since crystal growth occurs when the ratio of concentration and solubility of the solute in the solvent...
Membrane Fluidity
Membrane Fluidity
Mosaic nature of the membrane
The mosaic characteristic of the membrane helps the plasma membrane remain fluid. The integral proteins and lipids exist as separate but loosely-attached molecules in the membrane. The membrane is...