STABILIZATION OF BILAYER-LIPID MEMBRANES ON SOLID SUPPORTS BY TREHALOSE

Using the electrostriction method the effect of the glucose and trehal ose on the elasticity modulus perpendicular to the membrane plane, E(p erpendicular to), and the electrical capacitance, C, of supported bila yer lipid membranes (s-BLM) formed on the freshly cut tip of Teflon-co ated Ag wire was studied. Addition of saccharides into the electrolyte resulted in a decrease in the elasticity modulus of the s-BLM formed from the soybean phosphatidylcholine in n-hexadecane, while the capaci tance was increased. In addition, the trehalose has a considerable sta bilizing effect on the above parameters of the s-BLM. Treatment of the s-BLM in an electrolyte containing 0.3 M of the trehalose allowed sto rage of the s-BLM under dry conditions and under refrigeration, with t he subsequent recovery of membrane parameters after the wire had been dipped into the electrolyte.