Design of nanoemulsion-based

delivery systems of natural

antimicrobials: Effect of the
emulsifier

ABSTRACT

aims; investigating the effect of the nanoemulsion delivery

systems on the antimicrobial activity of different essential oil
components.

carvacrol, limonene, cinnamaldehyde were encapsulated in the sunflower oil

droplets of nanoemulsions prepared by high pressure homogenization and
stabilized by different emulsifier

antimicrobial activity was measured against 3 three different

microorganisms .

measured antimicrobial activity significantly affected by formulation of

nanoemulsion, different bioactive compounds encapsulated

ABSTRACT

effect of the delivery systems on the antimicrobial activity was correlated to

the concentration of the essential oil components in the aqueous phase in
equilibrium with the nanoemulsion droplets

suggesting that the ability of the active molecules to interact with cell
membranes is associated to their dissolution in the aqueous phase

rational design of nanoemulsion-based delivery systems for essential oils,

based on the opportune choice of the emulsifiers in dependence of the
desired function of the antimicrobials within the food system.

MATERIALS & METHODS

Materials

carvacrol98%,FCC (SigmaAldrich, Germany),

d-Limonene (SigmaAldrich,Germany)
trans-cinnamaldehyde 99% (SigmaAldrich,Germany).
sunflower oil from Sagra (Italy)
fluid soy lecithin Solec IP, extracted from soybeans,
Tween 20 & glycerol monooleate, purchased from SigmaAldrich
(Germany),
sugar ester P-1670 (sucrose palmitate),

methods

Preparation of nanoemulsions
Particle size measurements
Microbial inactivation tests
Solubility of antimicrobial compounds in aqueous phase

DISCUSSION

very little differences appeared to exist in

the mechanisms of action of the tested
antimicrobial compounds.
main parameter in determining the
efficiency of the essential oil components
was concentration in aqueous phase, rather
than mean droplet size of the delivery
systems.

DISCUSSION
the choice of the emulsifier in the formulation of the
nanoemulsion-based delivery system should take into
account the equilibrium concentrations in the aqueous
phase of the encapsulated active compounds as well as
its eventual being a nutritive substrate for the target
microorganism.
best option appears to be the use of a delivery system
formulated with an emulsifier with high affinity with the
essential oil components, which is able to solubilize their
molecules in aqueous phase at high concentration,
preferably higher than the water solubility.

if a bacteriostatic action is desired over an extended

period of time to ensure a certain shelf-life to a food
product, the best option is probably a delivery system
which is able to ensure a lower concentration in the
aqueous phase of the antimicrobial compounds,
therefore prolonging their action for longer time.

CONCLUSION

antimicrobial activities of the

components, dependent on the
formulation of the
nanoemulsion-based delivery
systems;

nanoemulsion-based delivery
systems for essential oils, founded on
the opportune choice of the
emulsifiers in dependence of the
desired function of antimicrobials
within the food system.

i. nanoemulsions based on sugar

esters / combination of Tween 20 and
glycerol monooleate increased the
equilibrium concentration in aqueous
phase of the compound well above their
water solubilities, antimicrobial
compounds were immediately available
and bactericidal activity was enhanced
over shorter time scales (2 h).
ii. nanoemulsions based on
lecithin / pea proteins promoted
slightly aqueous-phase concentration
of the active molecules, causing the
antimicrobial activity to be evident
only over a longer time scale (24 h).