[Ion transport through thick liquid membranes by fatty acids]

Ion transfer through bulk liquid membrane induced by free fatty acids has been studied. Dependence of the rate of ion transfer upon pH change, salt concentrations, concentration and length of fatty acids and the type of cation has been obtained. These effects have been found both in H+ concentration gradient and cations of monovalent metals. It was shown that magnesium chloride inhibited the ion transfer. The scheme of stimulation with fatty acids of H+ electroneutral exchange for the cations of alkali metals has been proposed. It is supposed that the mode of action of fatty acids is more similar to nigericin than to the uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation.