Nuclear magnetic resonance of sodium-23 linoleate-water. Basis for an alternative interpretation of sodium-23 spectra within cells.

The (23)Na spectrum from liquid crystals of sodium linoleate in water has been studied by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques. The integrated intensity of the visible central spectral line was 34-39% of the intensity of a reference sample containing an equal quantity and concentration of (23)Na nuclei. Since satellite signals were clearly demonstrable, the effect reflected a nuclear quadrupolar interaction rather than a splitting of the (23)Na into two populations of bound and free nuclei. It is proposed that a similar quadrupolar effect may be the basis for the apparent binding of the (23)Na observed in biological systems.