Glycolipid based cubic nanoparticles: preparation and structural aspects

• Published in: Colloids and surfaces, B, Biointerfaces Vol. 35; no. 2; pp. 107 - 118
• Main Authors: Abraham, Thomas, Hato, Masakatsu, Hirai, Mitsuhiro
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 15.05.2004
• Subjects: Bicontinuous cubic phases; Bonnet transformation; Dialysis; Glucosides - chemistry; Glycolipids - analysis; Glycolipids - chemical synthesis; Glycolipids - chemistry; Lipids; Membranes; Micelles; Nanoparticles; Nanotechnology - methods; Particle Size; Poloxamer - chemistry; Water - chemistry; X-ray; X-Ray Diffraction; Nanoparticles; Lipids; Membranes; Bonnet transformation; X-ray; Bicontinuous cubic phases
• ISSN: 0927-7765; 1873-4367
• DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2004.02.015

Kinetically stable cubic colloidal particle dispersion was produced from a glycolipid using a novel preparation strategy based on the dialysis principle. The use of synchrotron small-angle X-ray diffraction (SSAXD) permitted the identification of exact structure of these dispersed particles in the colloidal state. Dynamic light scattering methods were used to obtain size and size distributions. A glycoside, 1- O-phytanyl-β- d-xyloside (β-XP), that exhibits Pn3 m cubic phase in an excess aqueous medium, was used as the lipid material. The dialysis technique includes controlled stirring action both inside and outside of the dialysis membrane tube. Initially, a mixed micellar system composed of β-XP, n-octyl-β- d-glucopyranoside (β-OG) and a triblock copolymer, Pluronic F127 (PL) was prepared in the aqueous medium. About 10 wt.% of PL to lipid weight was found to be sufficient to produce stable colloidal dispersions. The mean volume diameter of these colloidal particles was found to be in the range of 0.85±0.05 μm. The cubic phase structure of these colloidal particles is greatly depended on the final β-OG concentration level in the system. Coexistence of Im3 m and Pn3 m cubic structures has been identified in these colloidal particles. This coexistence has the characteristics of Bonnet relation, which forms a compelling case for the infinite periodic minimal surface (IPMS) descriptions. These colloidal particles could restore pure Pn3 m phase structure, but a longer dialysis time was needed. This work, in general, will open up new possibilities for membrane protein reconstitution and other relevant biological applications using colloidal cubic lipid particles.