Saponin/β-LG-systems differ from common protein/surfactant systems.
Quillaja saponin dominates adsorption and interfacial tension in mixtures with β-LG.
Interfacial shear rheology indicates strong interactions between saponin and β-LG.
Mixtures of saponin and β-LG showed synergistic properties in foam stability.
Complex formation was indicated by static quenching in fluorescence experiments.