Surfactant-induced leakage from liposomes: a comparison among different lecithin vesicles.

The interactions, at sublytic concentration, of Triton X-100 and sodium cholate with sonicated and extruded liposomes of egg and soya lecithins were considered to analyze the integrity and/or the barrier efficiency of liposomal membranes. Results are discussed in terms of surfactant partition between the aqueous and the lipid phases and of the release of a fluorescent hydrophilic probe. Phospholipid nature and liposome size influence detergent partition, whereas the content release is mainly affected by the surfactant mole fraction in the bilayer, and by the liposome size.