Abstract
Long-chain n-alcohols decrease the main phase-transition temperature lipid vesicle membranes at low concentrations but increase it at high concentrations. The nonlinear phenomenon is unrelated to the interdigitation and is analyzed by assuming that alcohols form solid solutions with solid as well as liquid phases. The biphasic response originates from the balance of the free energy difference of alcohols in the liquid and solid membranes (Δg A) and the alcohol-lipid interaction free energy difference (Δ u) between the two phases. WhenΔg A < Δ u < 0, the transition temperature decreases monotnously according to the increase in the alcohol concentration. When Δg A > 0 and Δg A > Δ u > 0, it increases monotonously. Biphasic response occurs with a minimum temperature when Δ u > Δg A > 0, and with a maximum temperature when Δ u < Δg A < 0. When the alcohol carbon-chain length becomes closer to the lipid carbon-chain length, Δ u is equalized by Δg A, and the temperature minimum of the main transition is shifted to extremely low alcohol concentrations. Hence, long-chain alcohols predominantly elevate the main transition temperature and lose their anesthetic potency. High pressure decreased both Δg A and Δ u. Presumably, high pressure improves the packing efficiency of liquid membranes and decreases the difference between the solid and liquid membrane properties.
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