Emulsifiers allow normally un-mixable liquids, like oil and water, to be mixed into a single stable combination, like mayonnaise. The ability of these compounds to unite substances that normally cannot be mixed makes emulsifiers incredibly useful and versatile, with applications from food to cosmetics to pharmaceuticals and beyond. Let’s explore the magic of emulsifiers. 

What are Emulsifiers? 

An emulsion is a system in which fluid droplets are dispersed inside another liquid. An emulsifier is a substance that stabilizes that system when energy is added, most commonly by reducing the surface tension of the liquids. Emulsions are commonly used in the following industries and applications:

  • Foods. The most common emulsifiers in food are egg yolk, mustard, soy lecithin, and various proteins. These are used to create common edible emulsions like mayonnaise, hollandaise, and other vinaigrettes. Homogenized milk, butter, and margarine are also everyday emulsions. 
  • Cosmetics. In cosmetics, emulsions combine water and oil for hydration, cleansing, and/or foaming, as well as providing a pleasing texture to skincare products. Co-surfactants can also reduce irritation potential and create a milder feel. Common cosmetic emulsifiers include cetearyl alcohol, glyceryl stearate, and polysorbate 60. 
  • Pharmaceuticals. In pharmaceuticals, emulsifiers buffer ingredients, improving bioavailability, targeting drug delivery, and making medications more effective. They also preserve pharmaceuticals and make them more stable. Some common drug emulsifiers include tragacanth, parabens, and sodium lauryl sulfate.
  • Cleaning and hygiene. In cleaning products, emulsifiers allow cleaning products to penetrate more deeply, improving their effectiveness. Emulsions can remove stains caused by rust and minerals, and can improve product dilution or dispersion. 
  • Firefighting. Emulsions are an excellent tool for fighting fuel and oil fires, where water is ineffective. The emulsion encapsulates the flammable liquid vapors within the oil phase of the emulsion, starving and extinguishing the flame. 

Hydrocolloids are certain chemical emulsifiers that are dispersible in water, raising the viscosity of water and/or creating a gel. Because they provide stabilization, destabilization, separation, gelation, flow and crystallization control, and have other effects, they are in use in a huge range of products and industries. 

Next Generation Emulsifiers

While emulsions have been used throughout human history, researchers are constantly exploring new emulsifiers and new ways to use these unique compounds. SOme of the more interesting recent innovations include:

  1. Aerogels. First created in 1931, Aerogels are a form of emulsion where one of the liquid components of the emulsion is replaced by a gas, while preserving the gel structure. Aerogels have unique thermal properties with high potential for use as insulators or in aircraft de-icing. They are also ultrahydrophobic, and can be used to absorb chemicals and heavy metals, with applications for filtration, chemical spills, wastewater treatment, and more. 
  2. Pickering emulsions. Pickering, or Ramsden emulsions, are stabilized by solid particles, which bind to the interface and prevent the liquids from coalescing. In recent years, Pickering emulsions have been subject to greater research and exploration, as a safer and more eco-friendly alternative to chemical surfactants. 
  3. Algae enzymes. Certain fatty acids and enzymes derived from algae present tremendous potential in natural emulsifiers and surfactants. Algae-derived emulsifiers are especially in demand in the cosmetics and personal care industry, where consumer demands for simple, pure, natural ingredients is at an all-time high. 

Developing the next generation of emulsifiers for food, beverage, beauty, and pharma is more exiting, and more important, than ever. If you are looking for the R&D, life sciences, or chemistry candidates that can deliver these types of innovative solutions, contact Grapefrute today. Our expert recruiters can identify the right candidates with the right skills to reach your goals.