. pH-and time-resolved in-situ SAXS study of self-assembled twisted ribbons formed by elaidic acid sophorolipids. Langmuir, American Chemical Society, 2017, 34 (5) Just Accepted "Just Accepted" manuscripts have been peer-reviewed and accepted for publication. They are posted online prior to technical editing, formatting for publication and author proofing. The American Chemical Society provides "Just Accepted" as a free service to the research community to expedite the dissemination of scientific material as soon as possible after acceptance. "Just Accepted" manuscripts appear in full in PDF format accompanied by an HTML abstract. "Just Accepted" manuscripts have been fully peer reviewed, but should not be considered the official version of record. They are accessible to all readers and citable by the Digital Object Identifier (DOI®). "Just Accepted" is an optional service offered to authors. Therefore, the "Just Accepted" Web site may not include all articles that will be published in the journal. After a manuscript is technically edited and formatted, it will be removed from the "Just Accepted" Web site and published as an ASAP article. Note that technical editing may introduce minor changes to the manuscript text and/or graphics which could affect content, and all legal disclaimers and ethical guidelines that apply to the journal pertain. ACS cannot be held responsible for errors or consequences arising from the use of information contained in these "Just Accepted" manuscripts.
Abstract:Conditions that favor the helical structure formation in structurally similar sophorolipids (SLs), that is, elaidic acid SLs (having trans double bond between the C9 -C10 positions of the alkyl chain) and stearic acid SLs (no double bond) are presented here. The helical self -assembled structures formed by elaidic acid SLs were independent of pH and also were mediated by micellar intermediate. On the other hand, the stearic acid SLs formed helical structures under low pH condition only. Astonishingly, the formation routes were found to be different, albeit the molecular geometry of both the SLs is similar. Though a conclusive mechanistic understanding must await further work, our studies strongly point out that the non -covalent weak interactions in elaidic acid SL are able to overcome the electrostatic repulsions of the sophorolipid carboxylate groups at basic pH and facilitating the formation of helical structures. On the other hand, the hydrophobic interactions in stearic acid SLs endows the helical structures extra stability making them less vulnerable to dissolution upon heating.