Phospholipids and liposomes in liquid chromatographic and capillary electromigration techniques

Abstract

The structural resemblance of liposomes to natural cell membranes has caused them to be employed in liquid chromatographic and capillary electromigration techniques to study the interactions between analytes and phospholipid membranes. Phospholipids and liposomes are immobilized in stationary phases for liquid chromatography by a variety of techniques, to which we give special attention. We present selected applications to the separation of analytes. Though still few, applications in capillary electromigration are particularly attractive because of the small amounts of liposomes and samples that are required. We demonstrate the promising use of liposomes as carriers and coating materials in capillary electrophoresis with reference to recent applications. We note future directions for the utilization of phospholipids and liposomes in liquid chromatographic and capillary electromigration techniques.