Lyotropic mesophases of nonionic sugar-based emulsifiers

A preliminary study of the phase behavior of a ternary system of water and emulsifier mixtures has been carried out at 80degreesC under the polarizing light microscope. The emulsifiers used were Glucate SS (methyl glucose sesquistearate) and Glucamate SSE-20 (PEG-20 methyl glucose sesquistearate). The textures of the mesophases of these systems were confirmed by polarized microscopy. Lamellar phases (L,) were observed at Glucate SS and Glucamate SSE-20 weight ratios of 40/60, 30/70 and 20/80. Also present in the phase diagram are a three phase region, a two phase region comprising hexagonal (H-1) and isotropic (L-1) phases, L-alpha + L-1 and the isotropic single phase.