Barrier properties of lecithin/lysolecithin mixtures

Abstract

Light scattering, birefringence and X-ray studies showed that liposomes with lipid molecules orientated in bilayers, are formed from egg lecithin/lysolecithin mixtures up to 50 mol% of lysolecithin; above this concentration much smaller mixed micelles are formed. Permeability studies demonstrated a dramatic increase in the permeability of the liposomes when the lyso concentration exceeds 22.5 mol% X-ray studies indicated a significant decrease in bilayer thickness with increasing lysolecithin concentration. It is suggested that decreased interaction energy between the lipid molecules in the bilayer is