The importance of hydrophobic moieties in ice recrystallization inhibitors

Structurally diverse lysine-based surfactants/gelators and anti-ice nucleating agents (anti-INAs) were investigated as ice recrystallization inhibitors (IRIs). The results indicate that long alkyl chains are important for potent IRI activity and that the position of these alkyl chains is essential. Additionally, no correlation was found between IRI activity and critical micelle concentrations, gelation or anti-ice nucleation activity, although the counterion of some lysine surfactants did affect IRI activity.