Protein-silicone synergism at liquid/liquid interfaces

In previous studies nonionic organofunctional silicones were shown to enhan ce the intimacy of protein-silicone interactions at solid-liquid interfaces . In the current studies the same phenomenon was shown to manifest itself, even more clearly, at liquid-liquid interfaces. Proteins or silicones by th emselves were unable to impart stability to otherwise surfactant-free water -in-silicone oil emulsions. However, stable water-in-silicone oil emulsions resulted from the simultaneous adsorption of a protein and a (triethoxysil yl)-propyl-functionalized silicone at the interface from the corresponding bulk phases. Similarly, combinations of proteins and functional silicones l owered the interfacial tension of water-in-silicone oil emulsions more effi ciently than either of the surfactants on their own. This clearly implies e ffective protein-silicone synergism at the interface, possible reasons for which are discussed.