Hydroxytyrosol and tyrosol esters partitioning into, location within, and effect on DOPC liposome bilayer behavior.

The phenols hydroxytyrosol and tyrosol made abundantly available through olive oil processing were enzymatically transesterified into effective lipophilic antioxidants with cuphea oil. The hydroxytyrosyl and tyrosyl esters made from cuphea oil were assessed for their ability to partition into, locate within and effect the bilayer behavior of 1,2-dioloeoylphosphatidylcholine liposomes and compared to their counterparts made from decanoic acid. Partitioning into liposomes was on the same scale for both hydroxytyrosyl derivatives and both tyrosyl derivatives. All were found to locate nearly at the same depth within the bilayer. Each was found to affect bilayer behavior in a distinct manner.