Formulating stable hexosome dispersions with a technical grade diglycerol-based surfactant.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Physical Chemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Diglycerol monoisostearate (C41V) is a commercially available surfactant.
• Understanding its phase behavior is crucial for developing novel nanostructures.
• Liquid crystal dispersions, specifically hexosomes, offer potential for advanced delivery systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the phase behavior of C41V in water.
• To develop a method for preparing nanostructured hexosomes.
• To encapsulate an active molecule (Ketoprofen) within hexosomes and assess its release.

Main Methods:

• Characterization of C41V phase behavior in water.
• Preparation of hexosomes via nano-emulsion formation using ultrasound and solvent evaporation.
• Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and small-angle scattering (SAS) for size and structural analysis.
• Cryo-electron microscopy (Cryo-EM) for morphological investigation.

Main Results:

• C41V forms a stable reverse hexagonal liquid crystal phase in water across a wide concentration range (0.5-95 wt%) up to 70°C.
• A facile method using ultrasound and ethyl acetate as an auxiliary solvent efficiently produces hexosomes.
• Hexosome size is tunable by adjusting Pluronic F127 or Ketoprofen concentration.
• The hexagonal lattice parameter is approximately 5.3 nm.
• Ketoprofen release from hexosomes is pH-responsive.

Conclusions:

• C41V is a suitable material for forming stable hexosomes.
• The developed method provides an efficient route for hexosome preparation and encapsulation.
• The pH-responsive release of Ketoprofen from hexosomes holds promise for targeted drug delivery in the gastrointestinal tract.