surfactants and proteins

[Apopov]

My knowledge regarding chemistry is somewhat limited I have to admit, and I've stumbled into at problem about surfactants.

I want to create an emulsion with an organic and an aqueous phase. In the aqueous phase, I have proteins. My question is; will a surfactant such as polyvenylalcohol (2,5% w/vol) damage or denaturate the proteins?
If so, are there other things you could use instead?
I hope you can answer my question

Kind regards
Jonas

[danfive]

Originally Posted by Apopov

My knowledge regarding chemistry is somewhat limited I have to admit, and I've stumbled into at problem about surfactants.

I want to create an emulsion with an organic and an aqueous phase. In the aqueous phase, I have proteins. My question is; will a surfactant such as polyvenylalcohol (2,5% w/vol) damage or denaturate the proteins?
If so, are there other things you could use instead?
I hope you can answer my question

Kind regards
Jonas

Hi, most surfactants will dissociate lipid-protein moieties (and lipid-lipid) so your proteins will not necessarily be denatured---it depends on specific protein and specific surfactant. You can find out more looking at ---> http://biology.ucsd.edu/classes/bibc...oklet_2001.pdf Please read p.11 on non-ionic detergents
But I've never used polyvenylalcohol, specifically.

[danfive]

BTW---Tween 20, NP-40, Brij, Triton X-100 are non-denaturing.