Nitrogen‐15 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy as a probe for the study of membrane models

Abstract 15 N NMR spectroscopy has been used to investigate liposomes from an enriched phospholipid (dipalmitoyl‐phosphatidylcholine). It is shown that this probe can yield interesting information on the dynamics of head groups and on some interactions at the lipid–water interface. Even large multilamellar vesicles give rise to narrow, symmetrical signals, with a maximum nuclear Overhauser effect over the phase transition temperature. The sensitivity of the technique as regards structural changes was demonstrated by a complete study made between 20 and 60°C.