What You Need to Know
Phosphatidylcholine molecules adsorb at the air–water interface, orienting their hydrophilic head groups toward the aqueous phase and their hydrophobic tails into the air, creating a viscoelastic film that resists bubble coalescence. The film’s elasticity is maximized at 0.2–1 % w/w lecithin and temperatures between 20–60 °C, while mechanical shear (10 000–15 000 rpm) introduces uniform bubbles. Deviations in pH, ionic strength, or oil content disrupt the head‑group charge or film integrity, leading to rapid foam collapse.
The Science
Primary Reaction
Adsorption of phosphatidylcholine at the air–water interface forming a viscoelastic film that lowers surface tension