Studies on the interaction of fluorescein isothiocyanate and its sugar analogues with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide

► The interaction of FITC and its two sugar analogues with CTAB has been elucidated. ► The emission of the probe molecules is sensitive to surfactant concentrations. ► Supramolecular assemblies are formed at threshold dye-surfactant concentrations. ► Assemblies are commenced at lower surfactant concentration with increasing dextran size.