Synergism and foaming properties in binary mixtures of a biosurfactant derived from Camellia oleifera Abel and synthetic surfactants

A biosurfactant, named tea saponin (TS), was isolated and purified from the defatted seed of Camellia oleifera Abel. The characterization of TS including molecular weight, glycosyl composition, and thermal behavior as well as the surface and foaming properties was conducted. The synergistic interactions of binary systems of CTAB–TS, SDS–TS, and Brij35–TS were investigated. The results show that TS had a weight-average molecular weight of 809.12 g mol−1 and contained four aglycones of l-rhamnose, d-galactose, d-glucose, and d-glucuronic acid. The critical micelle concentration (cmc) of 2.242 mmol L−1 and the minimum surface tension (γcmc) of 43.5 mN m−1 were determined for TS. Synergisms in surface tension reduction efficiency, in mixed micelle formation, and in surface tension reduction effectiveness were observed in CTAB–TS and SDS–TS systems, whereas that was not shown in Brij35–TS mixtures. The mixtures of TS with CTAB and SDS showed synergism in foaming efficiency, but this synergism did not exist in Brij35–TS system with respect to the surface properties. Nevertheless, there appears to be no significant correlation between foam stability and the surface properties.

Surface tension versus log molar concentration plots for mixtures of CTAB–TS, SDS–TS, Brij35–TS, and individual surfactants in aqueous solutions at 20 °C.Figure optionsDownload high-quality image (62 K)Download as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► A biosurfactant (TS) was isolated from the seed of Camellia oleifera Abel.
► TS was mixed with synthetic surfactants to study synergism and foaming properties.
► Synergism in two surfactants was observed in CTAB–TS and SDS–TS systems.
► No synergism existed in Brij35–TS mixture.