Vesicle structures from bolaamphiphilic biosurfactants: experimental and molecular dynamics simulation studies on the effect of unsaturation on sophorolipid self-assemblies.
The formation of giant-vesicle-like structures by self-assembling linolenic acid sophorolipid (LNSL) molecules is revealed. Sophorolipids belong to the class of bolaamphiphilic glycolipid biosurfactants. Interestingly, the number of double bonds present in the hydrophobic core of sophorolipids is seen to have a great influence on the type of self-assembled structures formed. Dye encapsulation results establish the presence of an aqueous compartment inside the LNSL vesicles. Molecular dynamics simulation (MD) studies suggest the existence of two possible conformations of LNSLs inside the self-assembled structures and that LNSL molecules arrange in layered structures.
Physical and Materials Chemistry Division, CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Pune (411 008) India.
Prabhu
P
Dhasaiyan
Prithvi Raj
PR
Pandey
Nikunjkumar
N
Visaveliya
Sudip
S
Roy
B L V
BL
Prasad
D008968:Molecular Conformation; D056004:Molecular Dynamics Simulation; D015394:Molecular Structure; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000737:chemistry*
D013501:Surface-Active Agents
MD simulations; bolaamphiphiles; self-assembly; sophorolipids; vesicles