Sanders, Sarah Ivy, authorCrans, Debbie, advisorVan Orden, Alan, committee memberVan Buiten, Charlene, committee member2022-05-302023-05-242022https://hdl.handle.net/10217/235207The interactions of benzoic acid and salicylic acid with phosphatidylcholine liposomes were characterized to understand interfacial interactions of the two weak aromatic acids with the membrane. The liposomal system was comprised of soy l-ɑ-phosphatidylcholine (SPC) bilayers, which allowed the determination of interfacial interactions and position within the membrane using 1D 1H NMR. Benzoic acid was considered due to its effects as a food stabilizer, where salicylic acid was considered as a derivative due to its effects as an anti-acne agent. Both were found to penetrate the membrane interface deeper when in their protonated forms. The presence of the weak acids on the membrane surface allowed stabilization through hydrogen bonding with liposomal headgroups, which allowed deprotonation to occur. Broadening of aromatic peaks demonstrated a pH dependence for both benzoic acid and salicylic acid, showing a deeper penetration around the pKa values of the weak acids. This study offers justification for the antimicrobial activity of benzoic and salicylic acids in lower pH environments. Thus, this study provides the next piece in understanding the uptake of benzoic acid and salicylic acid in bacteria for microbial inhibition.born digitalmasters thesesengCopyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.benzoic acidinterfacial interactionssalicylic acidfood stabilizeranti-acne agentphosphatidylcholine liposomeText