Dynamic adsorption and surface tension of aqueous dilauroylphosphatidylcholine dispersions under physiological conditions.

The dynamic surface tension and equilibrium adsorption behavior of DLPC dispersions in phosphate buffer saline at 37 and 25 degrees C was studied with tensiometry, infrared reflection--absorption spectroscopy (IRRAS), and ellipsometry. The results are compared with those in water (Pinazo et al. Langmuir 2002, 18, 8888). Even though the pH and salinity have no apparent effect on the equilibrium surface tension and the surface pressure--area isotherm, they affect the dynamic surface tension by decreasing the adsorption rate and increasing the dynamic tension minima at a pulsating area of 20 or 80 cycles per minute. Moreover, IRRAS and ellipsometry results show that the adsorbed layers and the spread monolayers have larger area per molecule, or looser packing, in buffer than in water. A new hypothesis is proposed to elucidate the effect of pH/salinity on this zwitterionic surfactant: there is some specific interaction or binding between the ions from the buffer saline with the polar headgroups of DLPC. This interaction induces stronger intermolecular repulsions of the surfactant layer in buffer than that in water, despite the expected electrostatic screening effect, and causes higher dynamic surface tensions. The results have implications in designing lung surfactant replacement formulations.