Small Angle X-Ray diffraction Patterns of Stratum Corneum and a Model Structure for Its Lip ids

ABSTRACT

The structure of the lipid part of stratum corneum,was shown to be a lamellar liquid crystal in accordance with earlier suagestions by Elias et al.

The main structure forming compound was found to be the fatly acids which when partially neutralized gave a lamellar liquid crystal over a wide range of water content.

Small angle x-ray diffraction was used to estimate the location of the remaining lipid compounds showing localization to be between the methyl group layers of the hydrocarbon chains of some components while remaining compounds were intercalated between the acid/soap molecules.