Tag: Amphiphilic molecules

According to reports, up to 90% of new drug candidates are poorly water-soluble, which poses a significant challenge for effective delivery. Addressing this, mixed micelles—nano-sized colloidal structures formed from a mixture of amphiphilic molecules—offer an elegant solution by significantly improving the aqueous solubility of otherwise insoluble substances.

Over a century ago, the behavior of soap solutions led to the first scientific observations of micelles. Today, we know that micelles are essential self-assembled aggregates formed by molecules with both water-loving and water-hating parts. Understanding what are micelles and how they form is fundamental to fields ranging from detergent chemistry to advanced drug delivery.

Emulsifiers are everywhere, from the mayonnaise in your fridge to the lotion on your skin. These essential compounds are made of molecules with a unique dual-sided structure that allows them to perform their core function: mixing ingredients that would normally separate, such as oil and water.