The action of Triton X-100 and sodium dodecyl sulphate on lipid layers. Effect on monolayers and liposomes.

The action of two detergents, Triton X-100 and sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), on large, unilamellar liposomes was determined as liposome size variation, polydispersity and ability to release a soluble marker from liposomes. Triton X-100 produced stronger effects than SDS. Nevertheless, these differences in behaviour of such detergents could not be deduced from the interaction of the detergents with monolayers of the same composition as liposomes.