Studies on the ganglioside micelle

Abstract

The molecular weight of β-ganglioside was measured by vapor pressure depression in a number of different solvents. The molecular weight was found to be near 1665, corresponding to a structure containing sphingosine, stearic acid, glucose, galactose, N-acetylgalactosamine, and two N-acetylneuraminic acid residues. In aqueous solution, the ganglioside associated to form a micelle structure with an aggregate weight of 200 000 or greater. The critical micelle concentration was found to be 1.0 · 10⁻⁵ M. A discussion of these properties is presented.