Mixed Protein/Hexane Adsorption Layers Formed at the Surface of Protein Solution Drops Surrounded by Hexane Vapor

Abstract

The surface tension of aqueous solution drops of ß‐casein, ß‐lactoglobulin, and human serum albumin at the interface to air and hexane saturated air are measured by drop profile analysis tensiometry. The results indicate that the dynamic and equilibrium surface tension for a hexane vapor atmosphere are considerably lower as compared to the values at the interface with pure air. The experiments are performed with the initial adsorption of protein followed by hexane adsorption, and with subsequent removal of hexane from the measuring cell after equilibrium is attained. Two models are proposed, both of which assume the diffusion of protein in the solution and either diffusion‐governed or barrier‐governed hexane coadsorption. The new developed theoretical equilibrium model assumes a double layer adsorption in these systems, with the first layer composed of protein mixed with hexane and the second layer formed by hexane molecules only. The experimental and calculated equilibrium surface tension data are in a perfect agreement. Note the model parameters are exactly the same as those found for the individual compounds.