Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 9, 2026

Facile Preparation of Internally Self-assembled Lipid Particles Stabilized by Carbon Nanotubes
Published on: February 19, 2016
Stabilization of water-in-water emulsions by addition of protein particles
Bach T Nguyen1, Taco Nicolai, Lazhar Benyahia
1LUNAM, Université du Maine, IMMM UMR CNRS 6283, PCI, 72085 Le Mans cedex 9, France.
Abstract:
The effect of the addition of protein particles was investigated on the stability of water-in-water emulsions formed by mixing aqueous dextran and poly (ethylene oxide) solutions. Protein particles with hydrodynamic radii ranging from 15 to 320 nm were produced by heating globular proteins in controlled conditions. The structure of the emulsions was visualized with confocal laser scanning microscopy using different fluorescent probes to label the dextran phase and the protein particles. It is shown that contrary to native proteins, protein particles adsorb at the interface and can form a monolayer that inhibits fusion of emulsion droplets. In this way, water-in-water emulsions could be stabilized for a period of weeks. The effect of the polymer composition and the protein particle size and concentration was investigated.
Related Concept Videos
Colloids
The Colloidal State
Colloidal precipitates
Coagulation
Detergent Purification of Membrane Proteins

