Abstract
The effect of alpha-tocopherol and its acetate on the membrane structure of egg yolk phosphatidylcholine (egg PC) dispersions was investigated using phosphate-31 nuclear magnetic resonance (31P-NMR) and small-angle X-ray diffraction. The incorporation of alpha-tocopherol into egg PC dispersions induced a change in the 31P-NMR spectrum from a multilamellar bilayer line shape to a hexagonal HII one. The phase transition by alpha-tocopherol was also confirmed by small-angle X-ray diffraction analysis. The amount of hexagonal HII phase increased with increase in concentration of alpha-tocopherol. Egg PC dispersions containing a molar ratio of 0.8 of alpha-tocopherol gave a 31P-NMR spectrum of an approximately hexagonal HII type at 37 degrees C. The amount of hexagonal HII phase increased with increasing temperature, indicating that the alpha-tocopherol-induced phase transition is thermotropic and that the transition temperature of egg PC membranes from the lamellar to the hexagonal HII phase is lowered by alpha-tocopherol. The incorporation of alpha-tocopherol acetate did not induce any phase transition. This fact indicates that the hydroxyl group of alpha-tocopherol may play an important role in the hexagonal HII phase formation of egg PC dispersions.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
