Abstract
The use of DEHP (diethylhexyl phthalate) is now banned for most applications in Europe; the exception is for blood bags, where its toxicity is overshadowed by its ability to extend the storage life of red blood cells. Another plasticiser, BTHC (butanoyl trihexyl citrate), is used in paediatric blood bags but does not stabilise blood cells as effectively. Interactions between plasticisers and lipids are investigated with a phospholipid, DMPC, to understand the increased stability of blood cells in the presence of DEHP as well as bioaccumulation and identify differences with BTHC. Mixed monolayers of DMPC and DEHP or BTHC were studied on Langmuir troughs where surface pressure/area isotherms can be measured. Neutron reflection measurements were made to determine the composition and structure of these mixed layers. A large amount of plasticiser can be incorporated into a DMPC monolayer but once an upper limit is reached, plasticiser is selectively removed from the interface at high surface pressures. The upper limit is found to occur between 40-60 mol% for DEHP and 20-40 mol% for BTHC. The areas per molecule are also different with DEHP being in the range of 50-100 Å2 and BTHC being 65-120 Å2. Results indicate that BTHC does not fit as well as DEHP in DMPC monolayers which could help explain the differences observed with regards to the stability of blood cells.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Soft Matter |
DOIs | |
State | Accepted/In press - 2024 |
Externally published | Yes |
Funding
We thank SSF for the funding for EG in the SwedNESS graduate school, grant number GSn15-0008. The ISIS Pulsed Neutron and Muon Facility is thanked for the allocations of beam time under RB1810574 (SURF) and RB1820418 (INTER). The original neutron reflection data are available at https://doi.org/10.5286/ISIS.E.RB1810574 and https://doi.org/10.5286/ISIS.E.RB1820418 .
Funders | Funder number |
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Stiftelsen för Strategisk Forskning | GSn15-0008 |
Stiftelsen för Strategisk Forskning |