Colloidal gas aphrons: potential applications in biotechnology
Colloidal gas aphrons are microbubbles encapsulated by surfactant multilayers. They provide a large interfacial area to adsorb charged and/or hydrophobic molecules; the extent and mechanism of the adsorption depends on the surfactant multilayer. The physical properties of colloidal gas aphrons have recently been characterized for a range of surfactants in order to find the best systems for particular applications. A range of exciting biotechnology applications has been identified, including the recovery of cells, proteins and other biological molecules, and the enhancement of gas transfer in bioreactors and bioremediation.
Jauregi
P
Delft University of Technology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Kluyver Institute for Biotechnology, Julianalaan 67, 2628 BC Delft, The Netherlands.
Varley
J