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Published on: February 19, 2016
Surface-active solid lipid nanoparticles as Pickering stabilizers for oil-in-water emulsions
Renuka Gupta1, Dérick Rousseau
1Department of Chemistry and Biology, Ryerson University, Toronto, Canada.
Food & Function
|January 13, 2012
Summary
Surface-active solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) effectively stabilized oil-in-water emulsions. These SLNs, derived from glyceryl stearyl citrate, demonstrated long-term kinetic stability in emulsions.
Area of Science:
- Colloid and Surface Science
- Materials Science
- Food Science
Background:
- Oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions are widely used in various industries.
- Stabilizing emulsions often requires surfactants or complex formulations.
- Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) offer potential as novel emulsion stabilizers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize O/W emulsions stabilized solely by surface-active SLNs.
- To evaluate the kinetic stability and physical properties of these SLN-stabilized emulsions.
- To investigate the role of SLN properties in emulsion stabilization.
Main Methods:
- SLNs were prepared by quench-cooling hot O/W nanoemulsions of glyceryl stearyl citrate (GSC).
- O/W emulsions were formulated using GSC SLNs as the sole stabilizing agent.
- Particle size, zeta potential, and visual stability of emulsions were monitored over time.
- Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to analyze emulsion microstructure.
Main Results:
- GSC SLNs exhibited stable particle size (∼152 nm) and zeta potential (∼-49 mV) for 24 weeks.
- O/W emulsions containing GSC SLNs showed kinetic stability for 12 weeks and no visual phase separation for 24 weeks.
- Emulsion droplets averaged ∼459 nm with a zeta potential of ∼-43 mV.
- TEM revealed Pickering-type SLN adsorption on oil droplets and aggregation in the continuous phase.
- Gradual destabilization was attributed to SLN dissolution.
Conclusions:
- Surface-active SLNs can effectively provide kinetic stabilization for O/W emulsions.
- The method of generating SLNs via nanoemulsions is a viable approach for creating effective emulsion stabilizers.
- SLN dissolution is a key factor influencing long-term emulsion stability.
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