This study describes the development of a method for the incorporation of fluorescently labelled ovalbumin (FITC-OVA) into immune stimulating complexes (ISCOMs) prepared by the hydration method. Conjugation of palmitic acid was performed to fluorescently labelled OVA (pFITC-OVA) or to non-labelled OVA, with subsequent conjugation of FITC to the resulting palmitified OVA (FITC-pOVA). Both pFITC-OVA and FITC-pOVA, but not FITC-OVA, could be incorporated into ISCOMs and other non-liposomal colloidal structures. The degree of incorporation of pFITC-OVA or FITC-pOVA in non-liposomal colloidal particles reaches a maximum, if ISCOMs are the predominant colloids in the system.