The formation, stability of DHA/EPA nanoemulsion prepared by emulsion phase inversion method and its application in apple juice

Fabrication and stability of Pickering nanoemulsion stabilized by self-aggregated chitosan nanoparticles

The fabrication of Pickering nanoemulsions, specifically food-grade ones, is challenging due to the limited availability of particles with appropriate amphiphilic wettability and sufficiently small particle size. Chitosan nanoparticles offer a promising solution due to their adjustable size and amphiphilic properties. The study investigated the effects of pH, oil phase volume fraction, chitosan concentration, and ultrasonic intensity on the formation of chitosan Pickering nanoemulsions. Nanoemulsions with droplet size of approximately 300 nm were achieved under optimal conditions of pH 6.5, oil phase volume fraction of 1 %, chitosan concentration of 1.0 wt%, and 455 W ultrasonic power for 360 min. Stability tests indicated that the nanoemulsions had good pH (2-6), ionic strength (100-500 mM), thermal (60-90 °C), freeze-thaw (3 times) and storage stabilities (0-60 days). The findings highlight the potential of chitosan nanoparticles as effective stabilizers for Pickering nanoemulsions, providing valuable insights for the development of food-grade Pickering nanoemulsions.

Nose-to-brain delivery of DHA-loaded nanoemulsions: A promising approach against Alzheimer's disease

Reduced docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) concentrations seem to be associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD), and DHA accretion to the brain across the blood-brain-barrier (BBB) can be modulated by various factors. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify an efficient and non-invasive method to ensure brain DHA enrichment. In the present study, a safe and stable DHA-enriched nanoemulsion, designed to protect DHA against oxidation, was designed and administered intranasally in a transgenic mouse model of AD, the J20 mice. Intranasal treatment with nanoformulated DHA significantly improved well-being and working spatial memory in six-months-old J20 mice. These behavioral effects were associated with a reduction of amyloid deposition, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation in brain tissues, which may be partially due to DHA-induced inactivation of the pleiotropic kinase GSK3β. In conclusion, intranasal DHA administration exhibited strong therapeutic effects and disease-modifying benefits in the J20 AD model. Given that DHA has already shown safety and tolerability in healthy human subjects, our results further support the need for clinical trials to assess the potential of this approach in Alzheimer's patients.

Antimicrobial activity of octyl gallate nanoemulsion combined with photodynamic technology and its effect on food preservation

Photodynamic inactivation, as a safe and effective antimicrobial technology that does not damage the organoleptic properties of the food itself, decreases the use of preservatives and is gradually gaining attention in the food industry. This study selected octyl gallate (OG) as an antimicrobial photosensitizer with eucalyptus oil as the oil phase and prepared it as an octyl gallate nanoemulsion (OG-NE) to ensure the delivery of the photosensitizer. Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus inactivation with the OG-NE combined with photodynamic technology, as well as the effect on the quality of food products, was investigated. The results showed the successful preparation and homogeneous distribution of the OG-NE with an encapsulation rate of 85.18 %. The OG-NE's ability to produce single oxygen (1O2) was significantly higher, as shown by 1O2 production. The OG-NE combined photodynamic technique confirmed the effectiveness of microbial removal, demonstrating a significant increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the permeability of the cell membrane. The effect of the OG-NE combined photodynamic technology on perch (microbiology, pH, whiteness, water holding capacity, TVB-N and TBA) and litchi (weight loss, titratable acid and sugar content) preservation was assessed. Food preservation experiments revealed that the OG-NE combined photodynamic technology exhibited a positive effect on food quality. The results indicated that the combination of the OG-NE and photodynamic technology provided a new alternative strategy for the food industry in antimicrobial and preservation.

O/W nanoemulsions encapsulated octacosanol: Preparation, characterization and anti-fatigue activity

Octacosanol has various biological effects such as antioxidant, hypolipidemic and anti-fatigue. However, poor solubility has limited the application of octacosanol in food. The aim of this study was to prepare octacosanol nanoemulsions with better solubility, stability and safety and to investigate in vivo anti-fatigue effect. The food-grade formulation of the octacosanol nanoemulsions consisted of octacosanol, olive oil, Tween 80, glycerol and water with 0.1 %, 1.67 %, 23.75 %, 7.92 % and 66.65 % (w/w), respectively. The nanoemulsions had an average particle size of 12.26 ± 0.76 nm and polydispersity index of 0.164 ± 0.12, and showed good stability under different pH, cold, heat, ionic stress and long-term storage conditions. The results of animal experiments showed that the octacosanol nanoemulsions significantly prolonged the fatigue tolerance time, alleviated the fatigue-related biochemical indicators, and weakened the oxidative stress. Meanwhile, octacosanol nanoemulsions upregulated hepatic glycogen levels. Taken together, these findings suggested that octacosanol nanoemulsions have promising applications as anti-fatigue functional foods.

Fabrication and Characterization of Docosahexaenoic Acid Algal Oil Pickering Emulsions Stabilized Using the Whey Protein Isolate-High-Methoxyl Pectin Complex

In this study, the whey protein isolate-high-methoxyl pectin (WPI-HMP) complex prepared by electrostatic interaction was utilized as an emulsifier in the preparation of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) algal oils in order to improve their physicochemical properties and oxidation stability. The results showed that the emulsions stabilized using the WPI-HMP complex across varying oil-phase volume fractions (30-70%) exhibited consistent particle size and enhanced stability compared to emulsions stabilized solely using WPI or HMP at different ionic concentrations and heating temperatures. Furthermore, DHA algal oil emulsions stabilized using the WPI-HMP complex also showed superior storage stability, as they exhibited no discernible emulsification or oil droplet overflow and the particle size variation remained relatively minor throughout the storage at 25 °C for 30 days. The accelerated oxidation of the emulsions was assessed by measuring the rate of DHA loss, lipid hydroperoxide levels, and malondialdehyde levels. Emulsions stabilized using the WPI-HMP complex exhibited a lower rate of DHA loss and reduced levels of lipid hydroperoxides and malondialdehyde. This indicated that WPI-HMP-stabilized Pickering emulsions exhibit a greater rate of DHA retention. The excellent stability of these emulsions could prove valuable in food processing for DHA nutritional enhancement.

Chitosan-based nanocapsules by emulsification containing PUFA concentrates from tuna oil

Chitosan nanocapsules containing polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) concentrates from tuna oil, with EPA + DHA contents around 57% (w/w), were developed by emulsification process, using different chitosan concentration (1.0%, 1.5%, 2.0%, w/v) and stirring speed (10,000, 15,000, 20,000 rpm). The effects of these parameters on particle size and zeta potential were evaluated. The physical and oxidative stabilities were used to measure the product quality during storage. Chitosan concentration, stirring speed and its interaction significantly affected (p < 0.05) the particle size. In addition, chitosan concentration significantly affected (p < 0.05) the zeta potential of nanocapsules emulsion. Based on the results of physical and oxidative stabilities, the nanocapsules were stable for 30 days under refrigeration temperature (7 °C), and with 1.5-2% chitosan resulted in improved protection against oil oxidation. The nanocapsules produced with 2% chitosan and 10,000 rpm showed the lowest variations of polydispersity index and nanocapsules size after 30 days of storage (221.8 ± 3.0 nm). These conditions can be considered the most suitable to produce nanocapsules of PUFA concentrates from tuna oil using chitosan as wall material. These nanocapsules showed physical characteristics and oxidative stability, which could enable their application in the food industry, representing an important source of EPA and DHA fatty acids.

Fabrication and Optimization of Essential-Oil-Loaded Nanoemulsion Using Box-Behnken Design against Staphylococos aureus and Staphylococos epidermidis Isolated from Oral Cavity

Oral bacterial infections are fairly common in patients with diabetes mellitus; however, due to limited treatment options, herbal medicines are considered an alternate solution. This study aimed to formulate a stable essential-oil-loaded nanoemulsion for the treatment of oral bacterial infections. Essential oils from edible sources including coriander, clove, cinnamon and cardamom were extracted by hydrodistillation. The response surface methodology was used to optimize the nanoemulsion formulation by applying the Box–Behnken design. The oil concentration, surfactant concentration and stirring speed were three independent factors, and particle size and polydispersity index were two responses. The particle size, polydispersity index and zeta potential of the optimized formulation were 130 mm, 0.222 and −22.9, respectively. The ATR-FTIR analysis revealed that there was no incompatibility between the active ingredients and the excipients. A significant release profile in active ingredients of nanoemulsion, i.e., 88.75% of the cinnamaldehyde and 89.33% of eugenol, was recorded after 24 h. In the ex vivo goat mucosal permeation study, 71.67% of the cinnamaldehyde permeated and that of the eugenol 70.75% from the nanoemulsion. The optimized formulation of the essential-oil-loaded nanoemulsion showed a 9 mm zone of inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis, whereas in anti-quorum sensing analysis, the optimized nanoemulsion formulation showed an 18 mm zone of inhibition. It was concluded that formulated essential-oil-loaded nanoemulsion can be used against S. epidermidis and S. aureus infections in oral cavity.

Recent developments in industrial applications of nanoemulsions

Nanotechnology is being utilized in various industries to increase the quality, safety, shelf-life, and functional performance of commercial products. Nanoemulsions are thermodynamically unstable colloidal dispersions that consist of at least two immiscible liquids (typically oil and water), as well as various stabilizers (including emulsifiers, texture modifiers, ripening inhibitors, and weighting agents). They have unique properties that make them particularly suitable for some applications, including their small droplet size, high surface area, good physical stability, rapid digestibility, and high bioavailability. This article reviews recent developments in the formulation, fabrication, functional performance, and gastrointestinal fate of nanoemulsions suitable for use in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, nutraceutical, and food industries, as well as providing an overview of regulatory and health concerns. Nanoemulsion-based delivery systems can enhance the water-dispersibility, stability, and bioavailability of hydrophobic bioactive compounds. Nevertheless, they must be carefully formulated to obtain the required functional attributes. In particular, the concentration, size, charge, and physical properties of the nano-droplets must be taken into consideration for each specific application. Before launching a nanoscale product onto the market, determination of physicochemical characteristics of nanoparticles and their potential health and environmental risks should be evaluated. In addition, legal, consumer, and economic factors must also be considered when creating these systems.

Recent trends in praziquantel nanoformulations for helminthiasis treatment

INTRODUCTION

Infections caused by parasitic flatworms impose a considerable worldwide health burden. Recently, World Health Organization launched its roadmap for neglected diseases for the period 2021 to 2030 and oral treatment with praziquantel (PZQ) in tablet form is the main drug therapy for combating these diseases, but its use is limited by many drawbacks, including the high therapeutic dose due to the drug's low solubility and bioavailability. Among the strategies to improve PZQ performance, the use of drug nanocarriers has been cited as an interesting approach to overcome these pharmacological issues.

AREAS COVERED

This review focuses on the various types of nanomaterials (polymeric, lipidic, inorganic nanoparticles, and nanocrystals) which have been recently used to improve PZQ therapy. In addition, recent advances in PZQ nanoformulations, developed to overcome the barriers of the conventional drug are described.

EXPERT OPINION

Considering the poor rate of discovery in the anthelmintic segment observed in recent decades, the effective management of existing drugs has become essential. The application of new strategies based on nanotechnology can extend the useful life of PZQ in new and more effective formulations. Pharmaceutical nanotechnology can solve the pharmacokinetic challenges characteristic of PZQ and improve its solubility and bioavailability.

Nanoemulsion-based delivery approaches for nutraceuticals: fabrication, application, characterization, biological fate, potential toxicity and future trends

In the modern food industry, people are paying more and more attention to the use of edible nanoemulsions to encapsulate, protect and deliver lipophilic functional ingredients, such as volatile additives, polyphenols, aromas, pigments, proteins, vitamins, oil-soluble flavors, preservatives, etc., which are the current global needs. Nanoemulsions are constructed with droplets of nano range size and they offer many potential advantages over conventional emulsions including the delivery of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic compounds, higher stability, better antibacterial properties, good taste experience, higher affinity, longer shelf-life and improvement of the bioavailability of components. Moreover, they are highly capable of improving the wettability and/or solubility of poorly water-soluble compounds, which may result in better pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of nutraceutical compounds. On the other hand, oral nanoemulsions also have certain risks, such as their ability to change the biological fate of biologically active ingredients in the gastrointestinal tract and the potential toxicity of certain ingredients used in their production. This review article summarizes the manufacturing, application, characterization, biological fate, potential toxicity, and future challenges and trends of nanoemulsions, and focuses on nanoemulsion-based nutraceutical delivery approaches suitable for the food industry.

Pomegranate seed oil nanoemulsion enriched by α-tocopherol; the effect of environmental stresses and long-term storage on its physicochemical properties and oxidation stability

In this study, pomegranate seed oil (PSO) nanoemulsions loading different amounts of α-tocopherol (0-40%) were produced. The nanoemulsions were fabricated by ultra-sonication method and the influence of thermal treatment (20-90 °C), pH (2-8) and ionic strength (0-500 mM NaCl) were investigated on physicochemical properties of all treatments. Moreover, the oxidative stability and α-tocopherol degradation were also assessed on optimal enriched nanoemulsion formulation during 50-day storage. The droplet diameter, viscosity, antioxidant activity, encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity of optimal formulation were 37.5 nm, 514 cp, 92%, 3.45% and 92.5%, respectively. The peroxide value changed in the range of 4.5-5.3 and 6.7-10.5 meq O₂/kg in loaded and unloaded nanoemulsions, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated spherical morphology of nanoemulsion droplets with diameter average of 40 nm. This study suggested that PSO nanoemulsion loading α-tocopherol could be introduced as delivery system with favorable features under severe environmental conditions.