Emulsification of aqueous protein solutions in methylene chloride triggered the formation of water-insoluble aggregates at a water/methylene chloride interface. As a result, the amounts of beta-lactoglobulin and ovalbumin recovered in water were 36 and 44%, respectively. Addition of 5 mM CHAPS in the aqueous phase raised the degree of beta-lactoglobulin recovery to 96%. Sodium taurocholate, however, failed to improve protein recovery. The stabilizing effect of CHAPS was also protein-specific and concentration-dependent: at >= 5 mM, the surfactant caused unfolding of ovalbumin to make a water-soluble oligomer. CHAPS thus stabilizes proteins at an interface.