Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Spontaneous vesicle formation from a one-component solution of a biological surfactant

  • Micelles
  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
Trends in Colloid and Interface Science V

Part of the book series: Progress in Colloid & Polymer Science ((PROGCOLLOID,volume 84))

Abstract

Spontaneous formation of unilamellar vesicles from a solution of a single surfactant in water at normal pH is reported. The surfactant is the ganglioside GM3, a glucosidic amphiphile of biological origin. The vesicle average diameter sharply changes from 530 Å to 490 Å across the chain melting transition temperature at about 30°C. No hysteresis effects are found and vesicles are extremely stable. The bilayer thickness is surprisingly small, indicating that hydrophobic chains are fully interdigitated.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Kaler EW, Murthy AK, Rodriguez BE, Zasadzinski JAN (1989) Science 245:1371

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Safran S, Pincus P, Andelman D (1990) Science 248:354

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Hauser H, Gains N, Muller M (1983) Biochemistry 22:4775

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Talmon Y, Evans DF, Ninham BW (1983) Science 221:1047

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Tettamanti G, Sonnino G, Ghidoni R, Masserini M, Venerando B (1985) In: Degiorgio V, Corti M (eds) Physics of Amphiphiles: Micelles, Vesicles and Microemulsions. North Holland, Amsterdam p 607

    Google Scholar 

  6. Cantú L, Corti M, Sonnino S, Tettamanti G (1986) Chem Phys Lipids 41:315

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Sonnio S, Cantú L, Corti M, Acquotti D, Tettamanti G (1990) Chem Phys Lipids 52:231

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Corti M, Degiorgi V (1981) J Phys Chem 85:711

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Cantú L, Corti M, Degiorgio V (1986) Europh Lett 2:673

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. TEM pictures were kindly taken from Prof. E. Sackmann with his rapid freezing technique

    Google Scholar 

  11. Corti M (1985) In: Degiorgio V, Corti M (eds) Physics of Amphiphiles: Micelles, Vesicles, Microemulsions, North Holland, Amsterdam p 121

    Google Scholar 

  12. Helfrich H (1986) J Physique 470:321

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Cantú L, Corti M, Musolino M, Salina P (1990) Europh Letts 13:561 and SPIE Vol 1430 (1991), to appear

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Cantú L, Corti M, Degiorgio V (1990) J Phys Chem 94:793

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Bending elasticity of glucosidic membranes can be small, see Muts M, Helfrich W (1990) J Phys (France) 51:991

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Chimica e Biochimica Medica, Università di Milano, Milano, Italy

    L. Cantu, M. Corti, M. Musolino & P. Salina

  2. Dipartimento die Elettronica, Università di Pavia, via Abbiategrasso 209, 27100, Pavia, Italy

    M. Corti

Authors
  1. L. Cantu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. M. Corti
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. M. Musolino
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. P. Salina
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

M. Corti F. Mallamace

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1991 Dr. Dietrich Steinkopff Verlag GmbH & Co. KG

About this paper

Cite this paper

Cantu, L., Corti, M., Musolino, M., Salina, P. (1991). Spontaneous vesicle formation from a one-component solution of a biological surfactant. In: Corti, M., Mallamace, F. (eds) Trends in Colloid and Interface Science V. Progress in Colloid & Polymer Science, vol 84. Steinkopff, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/BFb0115928

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BFb0115928

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Steinkopff, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-662-16029-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-7985-1685-4

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation