Unusual, pH-induced, self-assembly of sophorolipid biosurfactants

ACS Nano. 2012 Jun 26;6(6):4763-76. doi: 10.1021/nn204911k. Epub 2012 May 29.

Abstract

An increasing need exists for simple, bioderived, nontoxic, and up-scalable compounds with stimuli-responsive properties. Acidic sophorolipids (SL) are glucose-based biosurfactants derived from the yeast broth of Candida bombicola (teleomorph: Starmerella bombicola). The specific design of this molecule, a sophorose head with a free end-COOH group at the end of the alkyl chain, makes it a potentially interesting pH-responsive compound. We have specifically investigated this assumption using a combination of small angle neutron scattering (SANS), transmission electron microscopy under cryogenic conditions (Cryo-TEM), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques and found a strong dependence of SL self-assembly on the degree of ionization, α, of the COOH group at concentration values as low as 5 and 0.5 wt %. At least three regimes can be identified where the supramolecular behavior of SL is unexpectedly different: (1) at low α values, self-assembly is driven by concentration, C, and micelles are mainly identified as nonionic objects whose curvature decreases (sphere-to-rod) with C; (2) at mid α values, the formation of COO(-) groups introduces negative charges at the micellar surface inducing an increase in curvature (rod-to-sphere transition). Repulsive electrostatic long-range interactions appear at this stage. In both regimes 1 and 2, the cross-section radius of the micelles is below 25 Å. This behavior is concentration independent. (3) At α = 1, individual micelles seem to favor the formation of large netlike tubular aggregates whose size is above 100 nm. Such a complex behavior is very unique as it is generally not observed for common alkyl-based surfactants in concentration ranges below 5-10 wt %.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Candida / chemistry*
  • Crystallization / methods
  • Glycolipids / chemistry*
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Macromolecular Substances / chemistry
  • Materials Testing
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Nanoparticles / ultrastructure*
  • Particle Size
  • Surface Properties
  • Surface-Active Agents / chemistry*

Substances

  • Glycolipids
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Surface-Active Agents