The solubilization and conformational behavior of Zein in the presence of cationic surfactant, dodecyldimethylethylammonium bromide (DDAB) have been studied. The colloidal properties of DDAB in the absence and presence of Zein have also been investigated using physico-chemical and spectroscopy methods. The surfactant appears to bind to Zein at concentrations below the critical micelle concentration (cmc) and the binding becomes weaker at concentrations above the cmc. The interaction between DDAB and Zein depends on the chemical structure and molecular parameters (conformation, molar mass, charge) of the protein. The schematic sketches of the molecular mechanisms of the complex formation between like-charged proteins and surfactants have been proposed. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.