Surfactant-induced leakage from liposomes: a comparison among different lecithin vesicles

The interactions, at sublytic concentration, of Triton X-100 and sodium cho late with sonicated and extruded liposomes of egg and soya lecithins were c onsidered to analyze the integrity and/or the barrier efficiency of liposom al membranes. Results are discussed in terms of surfactant partition betwee n the aqueous and the lipid phases and of the release of a fluorescent hydr ophilic probe. Phospholipid nature and liposome size influence detergent pa rtition, whereas the content release is mainly affected by the surfactant m ole fraction in the bilayer, and by the liposome size. (C) 1999 Elsevier Sc ience B.V. All rights reserved.