Perfluorooctanoic Acid vs. Perfluorooctanesulphonic Acid: Differential Effects on Membrane Interfacial Dynamics

Authors

  • Rusina Hazarosova Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
  • Vesela Yordanova Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
  • Dayana Benkova Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
  • Ralitsa Angelova Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
  • Albena Momchilova Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
  • George Ivanov University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy, Bulgaria
  • Aneliya Kostadinova Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
  • Roumen Pankov Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, Bulgaria
  • Galya Staneva Bulgarian Academy of Sciences

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7546/CRABS.2026.05.04

Keywords:

PFOA, PFOS, POPC LUVs, Laurdan GP, lipid order

Abstract

Perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS), such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulphonic acid (PFOS), are persistent water contaminants known to interact with biological membranes. In this study, the effects of PFOA and PFOS on membrane interfacial properties were investigated using 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs) and Laurdan generalized polarization (GP) as a probe of membrane dipolar relaxation. Under control conditions, POPC vesicles exhibited a liquid-disordered phase (negative GP values). While PFOA did not induce significant changes in GP, PFOS caused a significant decrease, indicating enhanced interfacial hydration and dipolar relaxation. These differences are attributed to structural features of PFAS, with PFOS exhibiting stronger interfacial anchoring and membrane perturbation. Overall, the results demonstrate that PFOS more effectively disrupts membrane interfacial properties, suggesting a greater potential to affect membrane function and associated cellular processes.

Author Biographies

Rusina Hazarosova, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences

Mailing Address:
Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering,
Bulgarian Academy of Sciences,
Akad. G. Bonchev St, Bl. 21,
1113 Sofia, Bulgaria

E-mail: rhazarosova@biophys.bas.bg

Vesela Yordanova, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences

Mailing Address:
Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering,
Bulgarian Academy of Sciences,
Akad. G. Bonchev St, Bl. 21,
1113 Sofia, Bulgaria

E-mail: vyordanova@biophys.bas.bg

Dayana Benkova, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences

Mailing Address:
Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering,
Bulgarian Academy of Sciences,
Akad. G. Bonchev St, Bl. 21,
1113 Sofia, Bulgaria

E-mail: dayanabenkova369@abv.bg

Ralitsa Angelova, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences

Mailing Address:
Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering,
Bulgarian Academy of Sciences,
Akad. G. Bonchev St, Bl. 21,
1113 Sofia, Bulgaria

E-mail: ralitsa.angelova@biophys.bas.bg

Albena Momchilova, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences

Mailing Address:
Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering,
Bulgarian Academy of Sciences,
Akad. G. Bonchev St, Bl. 21,
1113 Sofia, Bulgaria

E-mail: albena_momchilova@abv.bg

George Ivanov, University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy, Bulgaria

Mailing Address:
University Laboratory “Nanoscience and Nanotechnology”,
University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy,
1 Hristo Smirnenski Blvd,
1064 Sofia, Bulgaria

E-mail: george@at-equipment.com

Aneliya Kostadinova, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences

Mailing Address:
Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering,
Bulgarian Academy of Sciences,
Akad. G. Bonchev St, Bl. 21,
1113 Sofia, Bulgaria

E-mail: aneliakk@yahoo.com

Roumen Pankov, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, Bulgaria

Mailing Address:
Faculty of Biology,
Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, 8
Dragan Tzankov Blvd,
1164 Sofia, Bulgaria

E-mail: rpankov@biofac.uni-sofia.bg

Galya Staneva, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences

Mailing Address:
Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering,
Bulgarian Academy of Sciences,
Akad. G. Bonchev St, Bl. 21,
1113 Sofia, Bulgaria

E-mail: g_staneva@yahoo.com

Downloads

Published

29-05-2026

How to Cite

[1]
R. Hazarosova, “Perfluorooctanoic Acid vs. Perfluorooctanesulphonic Acid: Differential Effects on Membrane Interfacial Dynamics”, C. R. Acad. Bulg. Sci., vol. 79, no. 5, pp. 569–576, May 2026.

Issue

Vol. 79 No. 5 (2026)

Section

Biology

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Proceedings of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences

Copyright (c) 2022 Proceedings of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences

Copyright is subject to the protection of the Bulgarian Copyright and Associated Rights Act. The copyright holder of all articles on this site is Proceedings of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. If you want to reuse any part of the content, please, contact us.