Properties of Phospholipids - Micelle,Liposome,Aquasome,etc

 1.AMPHIPATHIC NATURE –

•  Phospholipids have both hydrophobic & hydrophilic portion in the molecule and so are amphipathic in nature
• In lecithin - Choline, Phosphate and glycerol form the hydrophilic head and fatty acids form the hydrophobic tail

2.MICELLE FORMATION –

• When Phospholipids are distributed in water – hydrophobic parts keep away from water forming molecular aggregates called micelle
• Involved in stabilization of lipids in aqueous medium
• Helps in digestion & absorption of lipids

3.BIOMEMBRANES

• Bilayer of phospholipids formed by orientation of polar heads(hydrophilic) to the aqueous phase on both side & non polar tails (hydrophobic) to the interior.
• FA’s with more than 6 carbon atoms form monolayers

4.LIPOSOMES

• Microscopic spherical particles prepared by sonication of mixture of phospholipids & cholesterol are called as liposomes.
• Drugs, proteins, enzymes, genes, etc. may be encapsulated by the liposomes
• Liposomes act as carriers for these substances to target organs.
• Liposomes have important applications in cancer chemotherapy, antimicrobial therapy, gene therapy, vaccines and diagnostic imaging.

5.AQUASOMES

• These are nanoparticle carrier systems with three layered structures.
• Comprised of a central core that provides structural stability
• Mostly utilized as delivery systems of protein, peptides carriers like insulin, hemoglobin etc.