Ability of surfactant hydrophobic tail group size to alter lipid oxidation in oil-in-water emulsions

Oxidation of oil-in-water emulsion droplets is influenced by the properties of the interfacial membrane surrounding the lipid core. Previous work has shown that an important factor in the oxidation of oil-in-water emulsions is surfactant properties that impact interations between water-soluble prooxidants and lipids in the emulsion droplet. The purpose of this research was to study the impact of surfactant hydrophobic tail group size on lipid oxidation in oil-in-water emulsions stabilized by polyoxyethylene 10 lauryl ether (Brij-lauryl) or polyoxyethylene 10 stearyl ether (Brij-stearyl). The ability of iron to decompose cumene peroxide was similar in hexadecane emulsions stabilized by Brij-stearyl and Brij-lauryl. Oxidation of methyl linoleate in hexadecane emulsions containing cumene peroxide was greater in droplets stabilized by Brij-lauryl than in those stabilized by Brij-stearyl at pH 3 with no differences observed at pH 7.0. Oxidation of salmon oil was greater in emulsions stabilized by Brij-lauryl than in those stabilized by Brij-stearyl as determined by both Lipid peroxides and headspace propanal. These results suggest that surfactant hydrophobic tail group size may play a minor role in lipid oxidation in oil-in-water emulsions.