Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 6, 2026

Self-Nanoemulsification of Healthy Oils to Enhance the Solubility of Lipophilic Drugs
Published on: July 27, 2022
Vitamin E-based Folic Acid Nanoemulsion: Formulation and Physical Evaluation for Oral Administration
Annis Catur Adi1, Christanto Christanto2, Heni Rachmawati2
1Faculty of Public Health, University of Airlangga, Kampus C Mulyorejo, Surabaya 60115, Indonesia.
Background:
Folic acid is essential in many metabolic processes and DNA synthesis. Nevertheless, folic acid is not stable, pH-sensitive, and deteriorated upon light exposure.
Objective:
This work was aimed to improve folic acid stability within vitamin E-based nanoemulsion.
Methods:
The nanoemulsion was prepared with self-nanoemulsification method by mixing vitamin E oil, Tween 20, and PEG 400. A pseudoternary phase diagram was constructed with aqueous titration to determine the optimum ratio for the mixture. The globule size, pH and entrapment efficiency were included in the nanoemulsion characterizations. In addition, the influence of centrifugation, storage, and pH on physical and chemical stabilities of folic acid nanoemulsion was evaluated.
Results:
Optimum formula was obtained from vitamin E, Tween 20, and PEG 400 with the ratio of 1:11:1, and the folic acid amount was 8 mg. The size of folic acidloaded oil globule was 15.10 ± 1.51 nm, and the nanoemulsion pH was 6.24 ± 0.01. The nanoemulsion system was able to load the folic acid completely. Folic acid in nanoemulsion was stable after 14 days at room temperature, and it was more stable compared to folic acid in solution. In addition, the physical and chemical characteristics of folic acid in nanoemulsion was not affected by the simulated gastric condition.
Conclusion:
Hence, nanoemulsion is a promising strategy to enhance folic acid stability.
Related Concept Videos
Formulation and Manufacturing Process: Physical Attributes of Generic Tablets and Capsules
Factors Affecting Dissolution: Particle Size and Effective Surface Area
Bioavailability Enhancement: Drug Stability Enhancement and GI Retention
Drug Delivery: Enteral Route
Pharmaceutical Alternatives: Polymorphic Form-Related and Particle Size-Related Therapeutic Nonequivalence
Factors Influencing Drug Absorption: Physicochemical Parameters
Enhanced drug absorption can be achieved by reducing particle sizes and increasing surface areas, thereby facilitating...

