Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 16, 2026

Fluorescence Recovery after Merging a Droplet to Measure the Two-dimensional Diffusion of a Phospholipid Monolayer
Published on: October 15, 2015
Micellization and solubilization of phospholipids by surfactants
1Department of Chemistry, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla 92093.
Abstract:
Phospholipids comprise the major component that defines biological membranes. Yet these amphiphilic molecules exist as liquid crystals when they are dispersed in water. Surfactants which form micelles in aqueous solution are quite useful in solubilizing the phospholipids by converting them into mixed micelles. Phospholipids containing short-chain fatty acids have also been chemically synthesized and these form micelles themselves without added surfactants. Below their cmc, monomers of these synthetic phospholipids can be co-micellized with surfactants. The solubilization of natural phospholipids and the micellization of synthetic phospholipids as well as their co-micellization by surfactants will be discussed. Emphasis will be placed on nonionic surfactants where the formation of micelles and mixed micelles with phospholipids has been well studied.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Colloids
Detergent Purification of Membrane Proteins
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)...
Surface Active Agents
Micelles
Bioavailability Enhancement: Drug Solubility Enhancement

