Stabilization of bilayer lipid membranes on solid supports by trehalose

Using the electrostriction method the effect of the glucose and trehalose on the elasticity modulus perpendicular to the membrane plane, E(perpendicular to), and the electrical capacitance, C, of supported bilayer lipid membranes (s-BLM) formed on the freshly cut tip of Teflon-coated Ag wire was studied. Addition of saccharides into the electrolyte resulted in a decrease in the elasticity modulus of the s-BLM formed from the soybean phosphatidylcholine in n-hexadecane, while the capacitance was increased. In addition, the trehalose has a considerable stabilizing effect on the above parameters of the s-BLM. Treatment of the s-BLM in an electrolyte containing 0.3 M of the trehalose allowed storage of the s-BLM under dry conditions and under refrigeration, with the subsequent recovery of membrane parameters after the wire had been dipped into the electrolyte.