ARS | Publication request: The influence of the anionic species of a molten salt on lipid organization

Submitted to: American Chemical Society National Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract
Publication Acceptance Date: August 17, 2008
Publication Date: August 17, 2008
Citation: Evans, K.O. 2008. The influence of the anionic species of a molten salt on lipid organization [abstract]. American Chemical Society National Meeting. p. 159.

Technical Abstract: Room-temperature molten salts have become the solvent of choice to replace organic solvents in processing commodity plant lipids. Replacing the typical organic solvent with molten salts reduces common hazards, such as volatility and flammability, associated with organic solvent use. In addition, molten salts are excellent alternatives to organic solvents because the molten salts have chemical/thermal stability, high ionic conductivity, excellent electrochemical stability, and tuneability for chemical/physical properties. The effects of a series of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium-based room-temperature molten salts on lipid organizations were explored. Fluorescence microscopy was used to determine whether four molten salts affected how phospholipids organized into giant unilamellar vesicles. Analysis showed the general spherical shape was not affected much, but secondary structures, such as aggregation and concentric behaviors, were affected. Further work will continue to assess whether or not increased concentrations of molten salts have greater effects on lipid organization. These fundamental findings should shed light on how best to process lipids in room-temperature molten salts.