Emulsification efficacy of Quillaja saponins at very low concentration: Model development and role of alcohols

The present study aims at quantifying interfacial coverage of a biosurfactant (Quillaja saponins) and understanding the impact of flavor and fragrance alcohols on emulsification efficacy of the biosurfactant in a surfactant-oil-matrix system. Emulsions were prepared using limonene, alkanes (C₈, C₁₂, and C₁₆) or limonene ̶ alcohol (linalool and C₆C₁₀ alcohols) mixtures at different ratios as oil phase stabilized by Quillaja saponins at very low concentrations (0.005-0.05% w/w). Droplet size was measured and size distributions were numerized to determine surface and volume average droplet diameters of bimodal emulsions. Using a model developed in the present study, Quillaja saponins showed an interfacial coverage of 5.0×10⁶cm²/g and a head surface of 1.37nm² with a lay-on configuration at interface. The model proved to discriminate between surface active (alcohols) and non-active (alkanes) compounds. The apparent interfacial coverage of saponins increased linearly with increasing alcohol concentration. The type of alcohol (terpene alcohol vs. medium chain alcohols) and alcohol chain length (C₆C₁₀) showed little impact on emulsification efficacy of Quillaja saponins. The molar ratio of heptanol to saponin at interface increased from 0 to 8.6 corresponding to 0-30% w/w heptanol in limonene. This study revealed that the distribution of alcohol at interface was mainly driven by partitioning in the surfactant-oil-matrix system. The practical implication of the present study is to enhance emulsification efficacy of Quillaja Saponins at very low concentration by incorporating surface active compounds, i.e. flavor or fragrance alcohols.