Aggregation behavior of nonionic glycolipid vesicles in acidic region

Large unilamellar vesicles composed of a nonionic synthetic glycolipid, 1,3-di-0-phytanyl-2-0-(beta -maltotriosyl)glycerol show pH-dependent aggregation - dissociation process, that is, vesicle aggregation occurs in the lower pH region and vesicle dissociation occurs in the higher pH region. This process is almost reversible and the aggregation threshold pH is dependent on NaCl concentration. Fluorescence technique has been applied to study whether the vesicle fusion occurs or not during the aggregation-dissociation process. It is concluded pH can only induce the aggregation of this nonionic glycolipid vesicle.