Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 18, 2026

Extraction and Characterization of Surfactants from Atmospheric Aerosols
Published on: April 21, 2017
Surface activity of surfactant spiked with vitamin A
Vadim Bronshtein1, Vugranam Venkatesh, Jas Aulakh
1Division of Neonatology, Children's and Women's Health Centre of British Columbia, University of British Columbia, 4480 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Background:
Intramuscular injections of vitamin A decrease the risk of broncho-pulmonary dysplasia. Admixture of vitamin A with surfactant as a lipophilic vehicle might be a less invasive modality.
Aim:
Test physical properties of surfactant + vitamin A.
Methods:
Miscibility and surface activity were tested in surfactant supplemented with retinyl-acetate, -palmitate, 13-cis-, or all-trans-retinoic acid.
Results:
Retinol acetate (5000 IU/mL) demonstrated miscibility with surfactant when premixing with ethanol. Its surface activity was 40% lower compared to surfactant alone.
Conclusion:
These findings warrant preclinical studies to test whether administration of vitamin A in subjects requiring surfactant is associated with beneficial functional properties.
Related Concept Videos
Surface Active Agents
Micelles
Breathing
Factors Affecting Dissolution: Particle Size and Effective Surface Area

