Interaction of four-antennary oligoglycines and lipopolysaccharides in aqueous media

Aqueous solutions containing both four-tailed oligoglycine [Gly7–NHCH2–]4C and lipopolysaccharides (Ra-LPS from Escherichia coli EH100) are studied in the present work. The experimental procedure comprises examination of the properties of interfacial layers at the solution/air boundary and the drainage characteristics of microscopic foam films. Significant decrease of the dynamic and equilibrium surface tension values is established upon raising the content of the oligoglycine in the mixture. This effect is related to the plausible formation of amphiphilic LPS/tectomer complexes. The drainage properties of the films go in line with the notion for the possible onset of amphiphilic entities in the solutions. The reported data may be regarded as experimental evidences for the existence of surface active LPS/tectomer complexes in the investigated systems. The results suggest that aqueous solutions of four-antennary olygoglycines could be used for registration of trace quantities and efficient capture of LPS in aqueous media.