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Published on: January 22, 2019
General Patterns of Biocompatible Microemulsions Formed with Di-rhamnolipid and Alkanediols
Florian Trummer1, Rika Raff1, Sylvain Prévost2
1Institute of Chemical Chemistry, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 55, 70569Stuttgart, Germany.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|July 27, 2026
Summary
This study explores rhamnolipids (RL), sustainable biosurfactants, for microemulsion applications. Researchers optimized formulation parameters like pH and salinity to control microemulsion structure for potential large-scale uses.
Area of Science:
- Colloid and Surface Science
- Green Chemistry
- Materials Science
Background:
- Conventional synthetic surfactants pose environmental concerns.
- Biosurfactants like rhamnolipids (RL) offer enhanced biocompatibility and biodegradability.
- Microemulsions are crucial for applications in cleaning, washing, and drug delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the phase behavior and nanostructure of biocompatible microemulsions using di-rhamnolipids (di-RL).
- To systematically study the influence of formulation parameters (temperature, salinity, pH, co-surfactant) on microemulsion properties.
- To enable large-scale applications of rhamnolipids.
Main Methods:
- Systematic variation of formulation parameters: temperature, salinity, pH, and co-surfactant chain length.
- Phase behavior analysis to determine microemulsion formation and stability.
- Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) to probe microemulsion nanostructure and interfacial properties.
Main Results:
- Rhamnolipids (Rha2C10C10) exhibit anionic surfactant behavior at high pH, forming microemulsions with a three-phase body at higher salinities.
- Octane-1,2-diol addition induces curvature inversion, while longer chain alkanediols enhance solubilization.
- SANS data revealed well-structured microemulsions with unique structural parameters potentially influenced by the bulky rhamnose headgroups.
Conclusions:
- The study demonstrates tunable microemulsion formation with di-rhamnolipids by controlling formulation parameters.
- Optimized rhamnolipid-based microemulsions show promise for sustainable, large-scale applications.
- Further investigation into the scattering features may elucidate the role of sugar headgroups in microemulsion self-assembly.
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