THE USE OF CARBOXYMETHYL ETHOXYLATE SURFACTANT TO DISSOLVE VITAMIN K1 AND TO OBTAIN LOW INTERFACIAL TENSION AND STABLE EMULSION SYSTEMS

Abstract The presence of vitamin K1 in human body is important for preventing the hemorrhagic disease. Due to its very long side chain, vitamin K1 is highly insoluble in water. We have successfully dissolve a substantial amount of vitamin K1 in solutions of a commercial surfactant containing carboxymethyl ethoxylates (Hüls B433) and obtained low interfacial tension (IFT) and stable emulsion systems. This paper will present the details of these experiments. The solubilization of vitamin K1 was estimated from UV absorption. The IFT values were measured by using a spinning drop apparatus and all particle sizes were determined by using laser light scattering. By using the Hüls B433 surfactant and an optimum amount of CaCl2, we can dissolve vitamin K1 in water and obtain low IFT systems in the order of 10−2 dyne/cm. The emulsions obtained in these systems are stable and contain droplet sizes below 65 nm. The dissolution of vitamin K1 and the IFT behavior in these systems follow the rules for crude oil and prefer larger surfactant micelles.