What does 'lipophobic' refer to?

The term 'lipophobic' refers to a substance that repels or does not mix well with oils. The prefix 'lipo-' comes from the Greek word for fat or lipid, while '-phobic' indicates a fear or aversion. Thus, lipophobic substances are characterized by their inability to interact with lipids or fats, which means they do not attract or contain oil. This property is significant in various scientific and practical contexts, such as in the formulation of certain types of coatings or materials that must resist oil-based contaminants. In contrast to lipophobic substances, lipophilic substances would be those that attract or mix well with oils.