Monolayers of proteins: β-lactoglobulin and its interactions with phospholipids

Summary Monolayers of a protein β-lactoglobulin (βL) and two lipids distearoylphosphatidylcholine (DSPC) and dimirystoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) on aqueous subphase containing Na⁺ or Ca²⁺ ions are studied. The spreading isotherms and the ATR-FTIR spectra of LB plurilayers transferred, allow to deduce that α-helix conformation of β-lactoglobulin is the prevailing form. The study of bidimensional mixtures between βL with DSPC and with DMPC shows that the components are incompatible at the W/A interface. Paper presented at the I International Conference on Scaling Concepts and Complex Fluids, Copanello, Italy, July 4–8, 1994.