Pigment containing lipid vesicles

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Abstract
Valinomycin added to a suspension of chlorophylla containing lecithin vesicles induces slight changes in the spectrum of chlorophylla. These changes are measured as a difference spectrum between samples with and without valinomycin but of otherwise identical composition. The analysis of the experiments reveals that the effect is neither associated with the ionophoric properties of valinomycin nor due to a direct interaction of this agent with chlorophylla. The molar ratio of valinomycin dissolved in the membrane to lecithin is found to be the relevant parameter, thus indicating an interaction between these two components. As a consequence, the aggregational state of the lecithin molecules is altered. Chlorophylla incorporated into the membrane acts as a sensor, i.e. it reflects the alteration by a change in its spectroscopic parameters.