Organometallics and quaternary ammonium salts affect calcium ion desorption from lecithin liposome membranes

The objective of the present work was to compare the effects of groups of t in and lead organometallic compounds and their mixtures with amphiphilic qu aternary ammonium salts (QAS) on the process of calcium ion desorption from lecithin liposome membranes, as dependent on the properties of the hydroph ilic and hydrophobic parts of QAS. In the investigations the method of radi oactive labels was applied. Synergism and antagonism in the action of both groups of compounds were found. The effectiveness of the cooperation depend ed more on chain length of QAS compounds than on the size and polarity of t heir hydrophobic parts. The most effective of all compounds studied was a t he mixture of benzyldimethylammonium chloride in a mixture with tripropylti n. Since the rate of calcium desorption proved to be a good measure of effi cacy of biologically active surfactants, it seems that the conclusions reac hed in this paper may be useful for choosing compounds which are able to de contaminate the environment polluted with heavy metals.