Adsorption of Saponin and Saponin–Chitosan Mixture at Water–Oil Interface and Stabilization of Oil-in-Water Emulsions

Investigating the adsorption properties of emulsifiers at water–oil interfaces enables advances in the comprehension of the mechanisms governing emulsion ageing and stabilization. The utilization of natural compounds in emulsion formulations is increasingly relevant for those applications where it i...

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Main Authors: Katarzyna Dziza, Marcel Krzan, Ewelina Jarek, Lilianna Szyk-Warszyńska, Sonia Kudłacik-Kramarczyk, Piotr Warszyński, Eva Santini, Libero Liggieri, Francesca Ravera
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Molecules
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/11/2281
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author Katarzyna Dziza
Marcel Krzan
Ewelina Jarek
Lilianna Szyk-Warszyńska
Sonia Kudłacik-Kramarczyk
Piotr Warszyński
Eva Santini
Libero Liggieri
Francesca Ravera
author_facet Katarzyna Dziza
Marcel Krzan
Ewelina Jarek
Lilianna Szyk-Warszyńska
Sonia Kudłacik-Kramarczyk
Piotr Warszyński
Eva Santini
Libero Liggieri
Francesca Ravera
author_sort Katarzyna Dziza
collection DOAJ
description Investigating the adsorption properties of emulsifiers at water–oil interfaces enables advances in the comprehension of the mechanisms governing emulsion ageing and stabilization. The utilization of natural compounds in emulsion formulations is increasingly relevant for those applications where it is challenging to maintain a low impact on the environment and health. We report here a study on saponin and chitosan at the interface between water and medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) oil in relation to the properties of the corresponding emulsions. Complementary experimental approaches have been adopted to investigate interfacial properties and emulsion evolution, relying on drop tensiometry, optical and confocal microscopy, and light transmission/scattering analysis. In addition, molecular dynamics simulation has been undertaken as support for the interpretation of the experimental results. The multi-technique investigation adopted here enabled a better understanding of saponin adsorption properties and of the role of chitosan in emulsion evolution. In particular, the results evidence the formation of amphiphilic saponin–chitosan complexes, which adsorb at the liquid–liquid interface and improve the stability of oil-in-water emulsions. Since the system investigated mainly consists of natural compounds, the results of this work can contribute to the development of new and efficient low-impact formulations.
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spelling doaj-art-c70e084ea8444fbbaa6c03bc2d860c2b2025-08-20T03:46:52ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492025-05-013011228110.3390/molecules30112281Adsorption of Saponin and Saponin–Chitosan Mixture at Water–Oil Interface and Stabilization of Oil-in-Water EmulsionsKatarzyna Dziza0Marcel Krzan1Ewelina Jarek2Lilianna Szyk-Warszyńska3Sonia Kudłacik-Kramarczyk4Piotr Warszyński5Eva Santini6Libero Liggieri7Francesca Ravera8Unit of Genoa, Institute of Condensed Matter Chemistry and Technologies for Energy, CNR, Via De Marini 6, 16149 Genoa, ItalyJerzy Haber Institute of Catalysis and Surface Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Niezapominajek 8, 30-239 Krakow, PolandJerzy Haber Institute of Catalysis and Surface Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Niezapominajek 8, 30-239 Krakow, PolandJerzy Haber Institute of Catalysis and Surface Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Niezapominajek 8, 30-239 Krakow, PolandJerzy Haber Institute of Catalysis and Surface Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Niezapominajek 8, 30-239 Krakow, PolandJerzy Haber Institute of Catalysis and Surface Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Niezapominajek 8, 30-239 Krakow, PolandUnit of Genoa, Institute of Condensed Matter Chemistry and Technologies for Energy, CNR, Via De Marini 6, 16149 Genoa, ItalyUnit of Genoa, Institute of Condensed Matter Chemistry and Technologies for Energy, CNR, Via De Marini 6, 16149 Genoa, ItalyUnit of Genoa, Institute of Condensed Matter Chemistry and Technologies for Energy, CNR, Via De Marini 6, 16149 Genoa, ItalyInvestigating the adsorption properties of emulsifiers at water–oil interfaces enables advances in the comprehension of the mechanisms governing emulsion ageing and stabilization. The utilization of natural compounds in emulsion formulations is increasingly relevant for those applications where it is challenging to maintain a low impact on the environment and health. We report here a study on saponin and chitosan at the interface between water and medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) oil in relation to the properties of the corresponding emulsions. Complementary experimental approaches have been adopted to investigate interfacial properties and emulsion evolution, relying on drop tensiometry, optical and confocal microscopy, and light transmission/scattering analysis. In addition, molecular dynamics simulation has been undertaken as support for the interpretation of the experimental results. The multi-technique investigation adopted here enabled a better understanding of saponin adsorption properties and of the role of chitosan in emulsion evolution. In particular, the results evidence the formation of amphiphilic saponin–chitosan complexes, which adsorb at the liquid–liquid interface and improve the stability of oil-in-water emulsions. Since the system investigated mainly consists of natural compounds, the results of this work can contribute to the development of new and efficient low-impact formulations.https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/11/2281emulsion stabilityinterfacial tensiondilational viscoelasticitysaponin–chitosan aggregatescoalescence
spellingShingle Katarzyna Dziza
Marcel Krzan
Ewelina Jarek
Lilianna Szyk-Warszyńska
Sonia Kudłacik-Kramarczyk
Piotr Warszyński
Eva Santini
Libero Liggieri
Francesca Ravera
Adsorption of Saponin and Saponin–Chitosan Mixture at Water–Oil Interface and Stabilization of Oil-in-Water Emulsions
Molecules
emulsion stability
interfacial tension
dilational viscoelasticity
saponin–chitosan aggregates
coalescence
title Adsorption of Saponin and Saponin–Chitosan Mixture at Water–Oil Interface and Stabilization of Oil-in-Water Emulsions
title_full Adsorption of Saponin and Saponin–Chitosan Mixture at Water–Oil Interface and Stabilization of Oil-in-Water Emulsions
title_fullStr Adsorption of Saponin and Saponin–Chitosan Mixture at Water–Oil Interface and Stabilization of Oil-in-Water Emulsions
title_full_unstemmed Adsorption of Saponin and Saponin–Chitosan Mixture at Water–Oil Interface and Stabilization of Oil-in-Water Emulsions
title_short Adsorption of Saponin and Saponin–Chitosan Mixture at Water–Oil Interface and Stabilization of Oil-in-Water Emulsions
title_sort adsorption of saponin and saponin chitosan mixture at water oil interface and stabilization of oil in water emulsions
topic emulsion stability
interfacial tension
dilational viscoelasticity
saponin–chitosan aggregates
coalescence
url https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/11/2281
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AT marcelkrzan adsorptionofsaponinandsaponinchitosanmixtureatwateroilinterfaceandstabilizationofoilinwateremulsions
AT ewelinajarek adsorptionofsaponinandsaponinchitosanmixtureatwateroilinterfaceandstabilizationofoilinwateremulsions
AT liliannaszykwarszynska adsorptionofsaponinandsaponinchitosanmixtureatwateroilinterfaceandstabilizationofoilinwateremulsions
AT soniakudłacikkramarczyk adsorptionofsaponinandsaponinchitosanmixtureatwateroilinterfaceandstabilizationofoilinwateremulsions
AT piotrwarszynski adsorptionofsaponinandsaponinchitosanmixtureatwateroilinterfaceandstabilizationofoilinwateremulsions
AT evasantini adsorptionofsaponinandsaponinchitosanmixtureatwateroilinterfaceandstabilizationofoilinwateremulsions
AT liberoliggieri adsorptionofsaponinandsaponinchitosanmixtureatwateroilinterfaceandstabilizationofoilinwateremulsions
AT francescaravera adsorptionofsaponinandsaponinchitosanmixtureatwateroilinterfaceandstabilizationofoilinwateremulsions