Surface activity of a fluorinated carbohydrate ester in water/carbon dioxide emulsions

in Journal of Colloid & Interface Science (2013), 398

The water/carbon dioxide (W/CO2) interfacial activity and emulsifying capacity of hydrocarbon and fluorinated carbohydrate esters are investigated of the first time and compared to the performance of ... [more ▼]

The water/carbon dioxide (W/CO2) interfacial activity and emulsifying capacity of hydrocarbon and fluorinated carbohydrate esters are investigated of the first time and compared to the performance of sodium-bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate (AOT). The reduction of the W/CO2 interfacial tension was measured using a pendant drop tensiometer equipped with a cell view pressurized with CO2 at 80 bar and 45 °C. It was found that the interface stabilization improved in the order AOT < 6-O-myristoyl mannose < 6-O-(2H,2H,3H,3H-perfluoroundecanoyl)-D-mannose. In the latter case, a drastic reduction of the W/CO2 interfacial tension was observed (85% reduction, interfacial tension at the equilibrium = 3.6 mN/m), which emphasizes the advantage of using a fluorinated CO2-philic tail and the potential of sugars as hydrophilic head. The formulation of stable W/CO2 emulsions was also achieved using the fluorinated mannose derivative. This study paves the way to the design of a novel class of competitive surface active agents for W/CO2 emulsions. [less ▲]

Conformational analyses of bacillomycin D, a natural antimicrobial lipopeptide, alone or in interaction with lipid monolayers at the air-water interface

in Journal of Colloid & Interface Science (2012), 387(1), 187-193

Bacillomycin D is a natural antimicrobial lipopeptide belonging to the iturin family. It is produced by Bacillus subtilis strains. Bacillomycin D is characterized by its strong antifungal and hemolytic ... [more ▼]

Bacillomycin D is a natural antimicrobial lipopeptide belonging to the iturin family. It is produced by Bacillus subtilis strains. Bacillomycin D is characterized by its strong antifungal and hemolytic properties, due to its interaction with the plasma membrane of sensitive cells. Until now, only few limited analyses were conducted to understand the biological activities of bacillomycin D at the molecular level. Our purpose was to analyze the conformation of bacillomycin D using IR spectroscopy and to model its interactions with cytoplasmic membranes using Langmuir interfacial monolayers. Our findings indicate that bacillomycin D contains turns and allow to model its three-dimensional structure. Bacillomycin D formed a monolayer film at the air–water interface and kept its turn conformation, as shown by polarization modulation infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (PM-IRRAS). To identify the membrane lipid target of bacillomycin D, its interactions with pure lipid monolayers were analyzed and an original behavior of the lipopeptide toward cholesterol-containing monolayers was shown. This original behavior was lost when bacillomycin D was interacting with pure cholesteryl acetate monolayers, suggesting the involvement of the alcohol group of cholesterol in the lipopeptide–cholesterol interaction. [less ▲]

Prolonging the lifetime and activity of silica immobilized Cyanidium Caldarium

in Journal of Colloid & Interface Science (2011), 356

Bénard instabilities in a binary-liquid layer evaporating into an inert gas

in Journal of Colloid & Interface Science (2010), 349

Interfacial properties and structure stability of the gp41 tryptophan-rich peptide from HIV-1

in Journal of Colloid & Interface Science (2010), 352

The HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein 41 (gp41) undergoes large-scale conformational changes in order to induce the fusion of the virus and cell membranes. Thus, we investigated a possible structure transit at ... [more ▼]

The HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein 41 (gp41) undergoes large-scale conformational changes in order to induce the fusion of the virus and cell membranes. Thus, we investigated a possible structure transit at the air-water interface for the tryptophan-rich peptide of gp41 (gp41W). The synthetic peptide (KWASLWNWFNITNWLWYIK), corresponding to gp41W, shows interfacial properties on pure water and Tris buffer at pH 8.5. Isotherm measurements and Brewster angle microscopy (BAM) imaging showed that the behavior of the peptide monolayer was dependent on the subphase composition. A homogenous film was formed on buffer during the peptide monolayer compression, while the appearance of condensed domains on pure water could indicate the oligomerization of gp41W during the surface pressure increase. Polarization modulation infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (PM-IRRAS) showed that, whatever the subphase, gp41W adopts an α-helix structure at the air-water interface and does not transit for any other structure even at high surface pressures. [less ▲]

Synthesis and pH-dependent micellization of diblock copolymer mixtures

in Journal of Colloid & Interface Science (2009), 329(2), 235-243

This work focused on the preparation and the aqueous solution properties of hybrid polymeric micelles consisting of a hydrophobic poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) core and a mixed shell of hydrophilic poly ... [more ▼]

This work focused on the preparation and the aqueous solution properties of hybrid polymeric micelles consisting of a hydrophobic poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) core and a mixed shell of hydrophilic poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and pH-sensitive poly(2-vinylpyridine) (P2VP). The hybrid micelles were successfully prepared by the rapid addition of acidic water to a binary solution of PCL34-b-PEO114 and PCL32-b-P2VP52 diblock copolymers in N,N-dimethylformamide. These micelles were pH-responsive as result of the pH-dependent ionization of the P2VP block. The impact of pH on the self-assembly of the binary mixture of diblocks—thus on the composition, shape, size and surface properties of the micelles—was studied by a variety of experimental techniques, i.e., dynamic and static light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, Zeta potential, fluorescence spectroscopy and complement hemolytic 50 test. [less ▲]

Surface functionalization of germanium ATR devices for use in FTIR-biosensors

in Journal of Colloid & Interface Science (2009), 332(2), 408-415

Biosensors based on intrinsic detection methods have attracted growing interest. The use of Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopy with the attenuated internal total reflection (ATR) mode, in the ... [more ▼]

Biosensors based on intrinsic detection methods have attracted growing interest. The use of Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopy with the attenuated internal total reflection (ATR) mode, in the biodetection context, requires appropriate surface functionalization of the ATR optical element. Here, we report the direct grafting of a thin organic layer (about 20 angstrom depth) on the surface of a germanium crystal. This covering, constructed with novel amphiphilic molecules 2b (namely, 2,5,8,11,14,17,20-heptaoxadocosan-22-yl-3-(triethoxysilyl) propylcarbamate), is stable for several hours under phosphate buffered saline (PBS) flux and features protein-repulsive properties. Photografting of molecule 5 (namely, O-succinimidyl 4-(p-azidophenyl)butanoate) affords the activated ATR element, ready for the covalent fixation of receptors, penicillin recognizing proteins BlaR-CrD for instance. The different steps of the previous construction have been monitored by water contact angle (theta(w)) measurements, spectroscopic ellipsometry (covering depth), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) by using a fluorinated tag for the control of surface reactivity, and FTIR-ATR spectroscopy for the structural analysis of grafted molecules. Indeed, contrarily to silicon device, germanium device offers a broad spectral window (1000-4000 cm(-1)) and thus amide I and II absorption bands can be recorded. This work lays the foundations for the construction of novel FTIR biosensors. (c) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. [less ▲]

Enzymatically prepared n-alkyl esters of glucuronic acid: The effect of freeze-drying conditions and hydrophobic chain length on thermal behavior

in Journal of Colloid & Interface Science (2008), 321(1), 154-158

In this work, some of the physicochemical properties of enzymatically prepared n-alkyl esters of glucuronic acid are presented. Two questions are addressed. The first concerns the influence of post ... [more ▼]

In this work, some of the physicochemical properties of enzymatically prepared n-alkyl esters of glucuronic acid are presented. Two questions are addressed. The first concerns the influence of post-purification freeze-drying condition's on octyl glucuronate thermotropic behavior. Depending on the amount of water added before freeze-drying, the alpha/beta anomeric ratio determined by H-1 NMR is affected and differences are observed in DSC thermograms probably due to polymorphism. The second question concerns the effect of hydrophobic chain length on the thermal behavior. An increase of both transition temperature and transition enthalpy is observed by increasing the number of carbon atoms in the alkyl chain (C8 < C10 < C12 < C14). This kind of results can provide relevant information for the processing and the practical use of these nonionic surfactants. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. [less ▲]

Weakly nonlinear study of Marangoni instabilities in an evaporating liquid layer

in Journal of Colloid & Interface Science (2005), 283(2), 522-532

Experiments on the role of gas height in the Rayleigh-Marangoni instability problem.

in Journal of Colloid & Interface Science (2005), 289(1), 271-5

Experimental evidence is provided to show the effect of gas phase dynamics on the onset of thermal convection and on the accompanying patterns in a silicone oil-air convecting bilayer. Very good agreement ... [more ▼]

Experimental evidence is provided to show the effect of gas phase dynamics on the onset of thermal convection and on the accompanying patterns in a silicone oil-air convecting bilayer. Very good agreement with three-dimensional calculations for linearized stability is obtained mostly for small and large gas heights. Reasons for this agreement as well as the results at intermediate gas heights are qualitatively explained from the perspective of well-established nonlinear analysis. [less ▲]