Nanoemulsions: Factory for Food, Pharmaceutical and Cosmetics

Abstract

Nanotechnology, particularly nanoemulsions (NEs), have gained increasing interest from researchers throughout the years. The small-sized droplet with a high surface area makes NEs important in many industries. In this review article, the components, properties, formation, and applications are summarized. The advantages and disadvantages are also described in this article. The formation of the nanosized emulsion can be divided into two types: high and low energy methods. In high energy methods, high-pressure homogenization, microfluidization, and ultrasonic emulsification are described thoroughly. Spontaneous emulsification, phase inversion temperature (PIT), phase inversion composition (PIC), and the less known D-phase emulsification (DPE) methods are emphasized in low energy methods. The applications of NEs are described in three main areas which are food, cosmetics, and drug delivery.

Polyglycerol Ester-Based Low Energy Nanoemulsions with Red Raspberry Seed Oil and Fruit Extracts: Formulation Development toward Effective In Vitro/In Vivo Bioperformance

“…Among the available nanoemulsion production methods, the low energy methods performed with minimal energy input (e.g., Phase inversion composition method at room temperature) are highly suitable for natural and thermo-sensitive molecules [ 9 , 15 ]. Methods that are based on the physico-chemical bottom-up approach rely on the release of chemical energy when carefully selected ingredients are mixed in a specific way, leading to surfactant self-assembly and spontaneous formation of small nanodroplets [ 14 , 15 , 30 ]. In order to optimize the formulation, the surfactant, cosurfactant, oil and water phase properties and their mutual ratios must be thoroughly investigated, because these composition factors play a crucial role in the formation and final characteristics of low-energy nanoemulsions [ 14 , 30 ].…”

A Rapid Lysostaphin Production Approach and a Convenient Novel Lysostaphin Loaded Nano-emulgel; As a Sustainable Low-Cost Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Combating Platform

“…NE is defined as a disperse system with droplets of less than 100 nm [11]. This small size not only imparts advantageous physical properties, such as optical clarity and elastic behavior, but also makes NEs stable against sedimentation and creaming [12]. Moreover, NEs are thermodynamically stable, and can be used when aiming at controlled drug release.…”

Nanotechnology Development for Formulating Essential Oils in Wound Dressing Materials to Promote the Wound-Healing Process: A Review

“…Three essential parameters should be considered in the composition, method, and manufacturing conditions to obtain a stable formulation [95]. The emulsion of the two immiscible liquid phases can create an interfacial tension that can be controlled by the addition of surfactants, which allows the dispersion of the particles [96]. Nanoemulsions can be classified as water-in-oil (W/O) and oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions.…”