THE POLYMERIZATION OF d-ELEOSTEARIC ACID IN THE DIPALMITOYLPHOSPHATIDYLCHOLINE-α-ELEOSTEARIC ACID LIPOSOME*

The polymerization of α-eleostearic acid (α-ESA) in the dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC)-α-ESA liposome was studied. The polymerization was carried out by UV irradiation and was kineticfirst order. The rate constant depends on the ratio of DPPC to α-ESA in the liposome. A transitionpoint of reaction rate could be observed in the course of the polymerization, and it appearedearlier with elevated temperature. Before the transition point, the higher the DPPC to α-ESAratio the higher was the reaction rate; while after the transition point, the higher the DPPC to α-ESAratio the lower wa the reaction rate.     

POLYELEOSTEARIC ACID VESICLES

α-Eleostearic acid and β-eleostearic acid formed vesicles in aqueous medium when an ethanol solution of eleostearic acid was injected rapidly into a vigorously vortexed aqueous phase. Formation of the vesicles was demonstrated by electron microscopic observation and bromothymol blue encapsulation experiments. Polymerizations of the eleostearic acids in the formed vesicles carried out by UV irradiation produced poly-α-eleostearic acid and poly-β-eleostearic acid vesicles.