Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 12, 2026

Self-Nanoemulsification of Healthy Oils to Enhance the Solubility of Lipophilic Drugs
Published on: July 27, 2022
Protein-silicone oil interactions: comparative effect of nonionic surfactants on the interfacial behavior of a fusion
Nitin Dixit1, Kevin M Maloney, Devendra S Kalonia
1Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Connecticut, 69 N Eagleville Road, Unit 3092, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, USA.
Purpose:
To study the effect of three nonionic surfactants on the protein-silicone oil interactions.
Methods:
The adsorption of Tween® 80, Pluronic® F68 and Tween® 20 at the silicone oil/water interface (using shifts in frequency (ΔF) and resistance (ΔR) with quartz crystal microbalance) was compared to the adsorption at air/water interface (using surface tension). Effect of surfactants on protein adsorption to the silicone oil/water interface was studied in sequential- and co-adsorption modes. Protein-surfactant binding in the bulk was measured using dynamic surface tension method.
Results:
Saturation of air/water and silicone oil/water interfaces by surfactants was observed at similar bulk concentrations. ΔF due to protein adsorption to the interface decreased only when surfactant was present as a pre-adsorbed species. Insignificant differences in the dynamic surface tension values of surfactant solutions were observed in the presence of protein.
Conclusions:
Similar hydrophobic forces were responsible for driving the surfactant adsorption at both air/water and silicone oil/water interfaces. Surfactants were effective in reducing the protein adsorption to the silicone oil only when introduced before or along with the protein. No significant binding between the protein and surfactants was observed in the bulk.
Related Concept Videos
Surface Active Agents
Protein-protein Interfaces
Colloids
Solubility
A solution is a homogeneous mixture composed of a solvent, the major component, and a solute, the minor component. The physical state of a solution—solid, liquid, or gas—is typically the same as that of the solvent. Solute concentrations are often described with qualitative terms such as dilute (of relatively low concentration) and concentrated (of relatively high concentration).
In a solution, the solute particles (molecules, atoms, and/or ions)...
Bioavailability Enhancement: Drug Solubility Enhancement
Detergent Purification of Membrane Proteins

