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AAT Bioquest

Is lecithin a zwitterionic surfactant?

Posted June 10, 2021


Answer

Yes, lecithin is a zwitterionic surfactant.

Zwitterionic surfactants are surfactants that have a net charge of zero so that that the surfactant molecule is essentially neutral. The lecithin contained in egg yolks possesses both acidic and alkaline properties and is a type of phospholipid-type amphoteric surfactant.

Additional resources

Synthesis of Dipalmitoyl Lecithin by Alveolar Macrophages

Amplite™ Choline Quantitation Kit