Synthesis of Renewable Micelles from Fatty Acids and Glucose
Authors
Moran, Mariah
Conway, Jack
Duncan, Mila
Melton, Trey
Ortega, Vicente
Thomas, Kenna
Date of Issue
2025-04-25
Type
Presentation
Language
en_US
Subject Keywords
Other Titles
Abstract
Synthesis of liposomes, or micelles, is an actively growing field of research, as these molecules serve various functions from surfactants to drug-delivery systems. Surfactants are amphiphilic molecules that work by disrupting surface tension. They are often used as detergents but can also work as efficient delivery systems for therapeutic drugs to targeted tissues. The majority of synthesized molecules on the market today are not derived from renewable sources, but from petrochemicals or other harmful substances. These compounds do not degrade naturally, resulting in chemical pollution. Renewable options have been produced, but the process is not yet cost- or time-efficient for manufacturers. This study aims to develop a procedure to produce micelles from natural and renewable sources such as isolated fatty acids and monosaccharides. Oxidation of a monosaccharide, glucose, and subsequent attachment to a fatty acid, derived from vegetable oil, will be employed to accomplish this goal. The oxidation of glucose will be performed via two pathways: bromine and enzymatic via glucose oxidase.To isolate the fatty acid tails required for lipid synthesis, triglycerides derived from natural oils will be cleaved using a lipase enzyme. Once the glucose has been oxidized and fatty acids have been isolated, they will be condensed to produce a micelle with a polar, carbohydrate headgroup and nonpolar, fatty acid tail. This study will contribute to an ever-growing field of research for renewable vesicles and micelle from natural products.