Globular protein assembly and network formation at fluid interfaces: effect of oil.

The formation of viscoelastic networks at fluid interfaces by globular proteins is essential in many industries, scientific disciplines, and biological processes. However, the effect of the oil phase on the structural transitions of proteins, network formation, and layer strength at fluid interfaces has received little attention. Herein, we present a comprehensive study on the effect of oil polarity on globular protein networks.

How the dynamics of subsurface hydration regulates protein-surface interactions.

The role of water structure near surfaces has been scrutinized extensively because it is accepted to control protein-surface interactions, however, often avoiding effects of hydration dynamics. Relating to this, we have recently discussed how the amount and state of water, accumulated within various hydrophobic-to-hydrophilic subsurface gradients of plasma polymer films, influence the magnitude of adsorbed bovine serum albumin, spurring the hypothesis of the presence of a subsurface dipolar field. This study now analyzes the kinetics of hydration by systematically introducing modified gradient architectures and relating different hydration times to the adsorption of a dipolar probing protein.

Designing Cellulose Nanofibrils for Stabilization of Fluid Interfaces.

Particles of biological origin are of increasing interest for the Pickering stabilization of biocompatible and environmentally friendly foams and emulsions. Cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) are readily employed in that respect; however, the underlying mechanisms of interfacial stabilization remain widely unknown. For instance, it has not been resolved why CNFs are unable to stabilize foams while efficiently stabilizing emulsions.