Interaction of NO2 with Monolayers of Phospholipids Extracted from E. Coli at 15 and 37°

Phospholipids were extracted from E. coli grown at 15 and 37°. The fatty acid residues of the 15° phospholipids were found to be considerably more unsaturated than the 37° phospholipids. These phospholipids were spread as monomolecular films and exposed to NO2-containing atmospheres. Whereas the 37° phospholipid films showed no interaction, NO2 was found to expand considerably the 15° phospholipid films. The results demonstrate that simple changes in environmental conditions may affect markedly the interaction of air pollutants such as NO2 with biological membranes.