Comparing Egg and Soy Lecithin Models

The negative-charge lipid content in the egg lecithins is not as high as that found in BBM and especially BBB lipids (Table 7.1). Furthermore, the negative-charge content in the egg lecithin is about one-fourth that in the soy lecithin. This is clearly evident in the membrane retention parameters for the bases at the 10% lecithin levels (models 12.0 or 14.0 in Table 7.8 vs. model 16.0 in Table 7.12), as they are 20-30% lower for the lipophilic bases in egg, compared to soy. 

For acids, the membrane retention actually increases in the case of egg lecithin, compared to soy lecithin. This may be due to decreased repulsions between the negatively charged sample and negatively charged phospholipid, allowing H-bond-ing and hydrophobic forces to more fully realize in the less negatively charged egg lecithin membranes. The neutral molecules display about the same transport properties in soy and egg lecithin, in line with the absence of direct electrostatic effects. These differences between egg and soy lecithins make soy lecithin the preferred basis for further model development. 

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