Development and Stability Assessment of Coenzyme Q10-Loaded Oil-in-Water Nanoemulsions Using as Carrier Oil: Extra Virgin Olive and Olive-Pomace Oil

Lipid nanoparticles containing coenzyme Q10 for topical applications: An overview of their characterization

The coenzyme Q10 is a compound widely used in pharmaceutical and cosmetic formulations because it is a potent eliminator of free radicals, giving it antioxidant and anti-aging properties. It is naturally synthesized by the human body, but its production wanes with age, leading to the formation of wrinkles. The efficacy of topical application of the coenzyme to counteract this process is subject to several difficulties, due to its instability in the presence of light, low solubility in water and high lipophilicity. Because of these drawbacks, many studies have been conducted of release systems. Lipid nanoparticles stand out in this sense due to the advantages of skin compatibility, protection of the active ingredient against degradation in the external medium, capacity to increase penetration of that ingredient in the skin, and its controlled and prolonged release. In this context, this article presents a review of the main studies of the coenzyme Q10 encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles for topical use, focusing on the analytic methods used to characterize the systems regarding morphology, zeta potential, release profile, Q10 content, encapsulation efficiency, crystalline organization and structure of the lipid matrix, rheology, antioxidant activity, skin penetration and efficacy, among other aspects. We also describe the main results of the different studies and discuss the critical aspects - the simplest, most reproducible, best, and most relevant - that characterize lipid nanoparticles with encapsulated Q10 for topical use.

Anti-aging properties of phytoconstituents and phyto-nanoemulsions and their application in managing aging-related diseases

Aging is spontaneous and inevitable process in all living beings. It is a complex natural phenomenon that manifests as a gradual decline of physiological functions and homeostasis. Aging inevitably leads to age-associated injuries, diseases, and eventually death. The research on aging-associated diseases aimed at delaying, preventing or even reversing the aging process are of great significance for healthy aging and also for scientific progress. Numerous plant-derived compounds have anti-aging effects, but their therapeutic potential is limited due to their short shelf-life and low bioavailability. As the novel delivery system, nanoemulsion can effectively improve this defect. Nanoemulsions enhance the delivery of drugs to the target site, maintain the plasma concentration for a longer period, and minimize adverse reaction and side effects. This review describes the importance of nanoemulsions for the delivery of phyto-derived compounds and highlights the importance of nanoemulsions in the treatment of aging-related diseases. It also covers the methods of preparation, fate and safety of nanoemulsions, which will provide valuable information for the development of new strategies in treatment of aging-related diseases.

Enhancement of physicochemical and encapsulation stability of O1/W/O2 multiple nanoemulsions loaded with coenzyme Q10 or conjugated linoleic acid by incorporating polyphenolic extract

Multiple O1/W/O2 nanoemulsions and O1/W nanoemulsions fortified with CLA or CoQ10 were produced using extra virgin olive or olive pomace oil and were also incorporated with polyphenols extracted from olive kernel to enhance their kinetic and chemical stability. They were prepared using a high-speed ultrasonic homogenizer. Specifically, nanoemulsions with 6 wt% lipid phase and 6 wt% non-ionic emulsifier (Tween 40) were produced and they demonstrated a droplet diameter >200 nm and high encapsulation stability during 30 days of storage at 4 °C or 25 °C. The incorporation of CLA or CoQ10 and polyphenolic compounds facilitated the homogenization of emulsions, reducing the droplet size and enhancing their chemical stability, and their bioactive retention values were >79%. O1/W/O2 nanoemulsions were produced using a mixture of non-ionic emulsifiers (Span 20 and Tween 40) and the O1/W enriched nanoemulsion as the dispersed phase. All multiple emulsions showed a bimodal droplet size distribution and Newtonian behavior while polyphenols facilitated their homogenization. Both vegetable oils resulted in samples with high kinetic and chemical stability; the bioactive retention values were found to be >80% at the end of 30 days of storage at 4 °C or 25 °C. Extra virgin olive oil resulted in more stable nanoemulsions in regards to kinetic and chemical stability at 4 °C, showing limited creaming and sedimentation boundary. Multiple nanoemulsions with the lowest initial droplet size presented the lowest droplet diameter growth and phase separation and the highest retention values. By comparing O1/W nanoemulsions and O1/W/O2 nanoemulsions, we noted that the reduction in the total phenolic content and antioxidant activity during storage was higher in the O1/W type. However, both delivery systems protected CLA and CoQ10 presenting high retention during storage. FTIR spectra before and after ultrasonic homogenization indicated that the sonication process did not significantly affect the lipid phase of O1/W/O2 nanoemulsions.

Novel Processes for the Extraction of Phenolic Compounds from Olive Pomace and Their Protection by Encapsulation

Olive pomace, the solid by-product derived from olive oil production consists of a high concentration of bioactive compounds with antioxidant activity, such as phenolic compounds, and their recovery by applying innovative techniques is a great opportunity and challenge for the olive oil industry. This study aimed to point out a new approach for the integrated valorization of olive pomace by extracting the phenolic compounds and protecting them by encapsulation or incorporation in nanoemulsions. Innovative assisted extraction methods were evaluated such as microwave (MAE), homogenization (HAE), ultrasound (UAE), and high hydrostatic pressure (HHPAE) using various solvent systems including ethanol, methanol, and natural deep eutectic solvents (NADESs). The best extraction efficiency of phenolic compounds was achieved by using NADES as extraction solvent and in particular the mixture choline chloride-caffeic acid (CCA) and choline chloride-lactic acid (CLA); by HAE at 60 °C/12,000 rpm and UAE at 60 °C, the total phenolic content (TPC) of extracts was 34.08 mg gallic acid (GA)/g dw and 20.14 mg GA/g dw for CCA, and by MAE at 60 °C and HHPAE at 600 MPa/10 min, the TPC was 29.57 mg GA/g dw and 25.96 mg GA/g dw for CLA. HAE proved to be the best method for the extraction of phenolic compounds from olive pomace. Microencapsulation and nanoemulsion formulations were also reviewed for the protection of the phenolic compounds extracted from olive pomace. Both encapsulation techniques exhibited satisfactory results in terms of encapsulation stability. Thus, they can be proposed as an excellent technique to incorporate phenolic compounds into food products in order to enhance both their antioxidative stability and nutritional value.

Tween 80 and Soya-Lecithin-Based Food-Grade Nanoemulsions for the Effective Delivery of Vitamin D

Fortification of food and beverages with vitamin D is demanding due to its poor water solubility and oxidation, due to exposure to light and high temperature. The purpose of this research work was to formulate an effective food-grade delivery system for the incorporation of vitamin D into food products and beverages. Food-grade vitamin D nanoemulsions were successfully prepared using mixed surfactant (Tween 80 and soya lecithin) and ultrasonic homogenization techniques. Significant effects (p < 0.05) of temperatures (4 and 25 °C) and storage intervals (1 month) were observed on the turbidity and vitamin D retention. At the end of a 2 month storage, the droplet sizes of the nanoemulsion were 140.15 nm at 4 °C and 155.5 nm at 25 °C. p-Anisidine value of canola oil significantly reduced (p < 0.05) after its incorporation into nanoemulsions. The turbidity values of nanoemulsions increased with the increase in storage duration and temperature. These nanoemulsions remain stable against a wide range of temperatures (30-90 °C), pH values (2-8), ionic strengths (50-400 mM), and freeze-thaw cycles (4 cycles). At the end of 30 days of storage, vitamin D retentions were 74.4 ± 1.2 and 55.3 ± 2.1% in nanoemulsions stored at 4 and 25 °C, respectively. These results suggest that mixed-surfactant-based nanoemulsions are an effective delivery system for the incorporation of vitamin D into food and beverages to overcome the worldwide deficiency of vitamin D.

Nanoemulsions as delivery systems for lipophilic nutraceuticals: strategies for improving their formulation, stability, functionality and bioavailability

The food and beverage industry often need to encapsulate hydrophobic functional ingredients in their products, including colors, flavors, lipids, nutraceuticals preservatives, and vitamins. Encapsulation can improve the handling, water-dispersibility, chemically stability, and efficacy of these functional ingredients. In this review article, we focus on the design of nanoemulsion-based delivery systems to encapsulate, protect, and deliver non-polar bioactive agents, such as vitamin A, D and E, β-carotene, lycopene, lutein, curcumin, resveratrol, and coenzyme Q10. Initially, the challenges associated with incorporating these different bioactives into foods are highlighted. The relative merits and drawbacks of different nanoemulsion fabrication methods are then discussed. Finally, examples of the application of nanoemulsions for improving the stability and bioavailability of various kinds of hydrophobic vitamins and nutraceuticals are provided.