Nanoemulsion Improves Babassu Palm Oil (Orbignya phalerata) Antioxidant Properties

Abstract

Background: Babassu oil is an extract from a Brazilian native coconut (Orbignya phalerata Martius) and is used both as a food and a medicinal product. Methods: we produced two babassu oil nanoemulsions and evaluated them regarding their nanoscopic stability, antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity.The nanoemulsions were characterized by Dynamic Light Scattering, and their stability was investigated for 120 days. The antioxidant activity was assessed by Spectroscopy Electron Paramagnetic Resonance, and the cytotoxicity was assessed by a colorimetric method (MTT) with the NIH/3T3 cell lineage. Results: the results showed nanoemulsions with average hydrodynamic diameter lower than 100 nm (p0.001).and a polydispersity index of less than 0.3 (p0.001), indicating monodisperse systems and good stability at room HIGHLIGHTS  Production of lipid nanoemulsions (<100 nm) of industrial interest with low energy demand. The antioxidant properties of babassu oil have been improved and the nanoemulsions are not cytotoxic. Babassu oil is a food and medicinal product.  The nanoemulsion is strategic for the developed of new antioxidants phytotherapeutics.