Understanding the interactions between sebum triglycerides and water: a molecular dynamics simulation study.
File(s)
Author(s)
Tascini, Anna Sofia
Noro, Massimo G
Chen, Rongjun
Seddon, John M
Bresme, Fernando
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
In recent years, sebum oil has been found to play a key role in the regulation of the hydration of the outermost layer of the skin, the stratum corneum. Understanding how a major component of the sebum oil, the triglyceride tri-cis-6-hexadecenoin (TG), interacts with water is an important step in gaining insight into the water regulation function of the sebum oil. Here we use molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the structural and interfacial properties of TG in bulk and at the air and water interface. Our model performs very well in reproducing experimental results, such as density, surface tensions and surface pressure area isotherms. We show that triglyceride molecules in the liquid phase assemble together, through the glycerol group, forming a single percolating network. TG-air interfaces orient the lipids with the interface enriched with the hydrophobic tails and the glycerol groups buried inside. When in contact with water, the TG molecules at the interface orient the glycerol group towards the water phase and adopt a characteristic trident conformation. Water is shown to penetrate the TG layer thanks to the interaction with the oxygen atoms of the TG molecules, which acts as a pathway for water diffusion. The activation energy for the passage of water is found to be ≈9.5kBT at 310 K, showing that the layer is permeable to water diffusion.
Date Issued
2018-01-02
Date Acceptance
2017-12-11
Citation
Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 2018, 20, pp.1848-1860
ISSN
1463-9076
Publisher
Royal Society of Chemistry
Start Page
1848
End Page
1860
Journal / Book Title
Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics
Volume
20
Copyright Statement
© The Royal Society of Chemistry 2017
Sponsor
Engineering & Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC)
Commission of the European Communities
Grant Number
EP/J003859/1
608184
Subjects
02 Physical Sciences
03 Chemical Sciences
Chemical Physics
Publication Status
Published online
Date Publish Online
2017-12-13