Differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction studies of a series of synthetic β-D-galactosyl diacylglycerols

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Abstract
We have investigated the physical properties of a homologous series of synthetic, saturated 1,2-di-O-acyl-3-O-(β-D-galactopyranosyl)-sn-glycerols using calorimetry and X-ray diffraction. Unannealed aqueous dispersions of these compounds exhibit a lower temperature, moderately energetic, chain-melting (Lβ/Lα phase transition and a higher temperature, weakly energetic, bilayer/nonbilayer phase transition. On annealing below the Lβ/Lα phase transition, the Lβ phase converts to an LC phase, which may undergo a highly energetic LC/Lα or LC/HII phase transition at very high temperatures on reheating. The temperatures of these phase transitions are higher than those seen in the corresponding α- and β-D-glucosyl diacylglycerols. However, the Lβ/Lα and bilayer/nonbilayer phase transition temperatures of the β-D-galactosyl diacylglycerols are lower than those of the corresponding diacyl phosphatidylethanolamines. These observations are discussed in terms of the hydration and hydrogen bonding properties of their respective headgroups.Key words: differential scanning calorimetry, low-angle x-ray diffraction, glycolipids, galactolipids, lipid phase behaviour.

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