Interfacial Tension of Some Biological Fluids: A Comparative Study

Abstract

In describing physicochemical properties of interfacial interactions, the interfacial tension is a major parameter. In the case of biological or body fluids, the presence of surface active substances influences the value of the surface tension. Several proposals were made for methods to investigate the changes in surface tension. Alterations in surface tension (compared to those of the normal values, e.g., of amniotic fluid) may indicate a pathophysiological status. Data on systematically measured surface tensions of a few [human] physiological fluids are presented. Problems of methodology and data interpretation are discussed together with suggestions for new approaches, and comparisons are made with previously reported measurements.