ASCORBIC ACID ENCAPSULATED IN MIXED MICELLES

Active ingredients such as ascorbic acid (vitamin C), retinol (vitamin A), and tocopherol (vitamin E) in pharmaceutical and cosmetic formulations are susceptible to oxidative degradation. This process is often catalyzed by exposure to light, heat, and oxygen, leading to a reduction in efficacy and potential formation of harmful by-products. New studies on alternative molecules and the potential loss of effectiveness have been developed. As a strategy, the nanoencapsulation/microencapsulation of active ingredients on a large scale has emerged as a technological tool, offering significant prospects for various market niches¹.

Nanoemulsions are systems composed of small particles (d ≈ 100 nm) dispersed in an immiscible liquid. Their primary components are surfactants, which can interact with both polar and non-polar phases². Upon reaching the critical micelle concentration, these micelles interact with active compounds, thereby acting as carriers and modulators of their release. However, micelles exhibit instability at low temperatures due to the decreased kinetic energy, which disrupts the delicate balance of hydrophobic and hydrophilic interactions necessary for micelle formation and maintenance.

Our study proposes a water-in-oil (w/o) nanoemulsion of ascorbic acid (AA), composed of a mixed non-ionic micellar system. Utilizing Indorama products, the results demonstrate mixed micelles formed by ALKEST® SP 20 (Sorbitan monolaurate) and ALKEST® TW 80 Y (Polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate) with a R_H = 90 nm, loading efficiency over 90% for ascorbic acid. Additionally, the rheological modifier Oxiflow®F 1700 enabled the protection of AA at low temperatures (5 °C). The capacity of the nanoemulsion to protect the active ingredient from degradation proved successful during a period of 50 days (figure 1). Therefore, the developed system demonstrates multiple advantages, serving as an excellent protector and reservoir for actives sensitive to environmental physical conditions.

Keywords: Nanoemulsion, mixed micelles, drug resevoir, vitamin

Active ingredients such as ascorbic acid (vitamin C), retinol (vitamin A), and tocopherol (vitamin E) in pharmaceutical and cosmetic formulations are susceptible to oxidative degradation. This process is often catalyzed by exposure to light, heat, and oxygen, leading to a reduction in efficacy and potential formation of harmful by-products. New studies on alternative molecules and the potential loss of effectiveness have been developed. As a strategy, the nanoencapsulation/microencapsulation of active ingredients on a large scale has emerged as a technological tool, offering significant prospects for various market niches¹.

Nanoemulsions are systems composed of small particles (d ≈ 100 nm) dispersed in an immiscible liquid. Their primary components are surfactants, which can interact with both polar and non-polar phases². Upon reaching the critical micelle concentration, these micelles interact with active compounds, thereby acting as carriers and modulators of their release. However, micelles exhibit instability at low temperatures due to the decreased kinetic energy, which disrupts the delicate balance of hydrophobic and hydrophilic interactions necessary for micelle formation and maintenance.

Our study proposes a water-in-oil (w/o) nanoemulsion of ascorbic acid (AA), composed of a mixed non-ionic micellar system. Utilizing Indorama products, the results demonstrate mixed micelles formed by ALKEST® SP 20 (Sorbitan monolaurate) and ALKEST® TW 80 Y (Polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate) with a R_H = 90 nm, loading efficiency over 90% for ascorbic acid. Additionally, the rheological modifier Oxiflow®F 1700 enabled the protection of AA at low temperatures (5 °C). The capacity of the nanoemulsion to protect the active ingredient from degradation proved successful during a period of 50 days (figure 1). Therefore, the developed system demonstrates multiple advantages, serving as an excellent protector and reservoir for actives sensitive to environmental physical conditions.

Keywords: Nanoemulsion, mixed micelles, drug resevoir, vitamin

Active ingredients such as ascorbic acid (vitamin C), retinol (vitamin A), and tocopherol (vitamin E) in pharmaceutical and cosmetic formulations are susceptible to oxidative degradation. This process is often catalyzed by exposure to light, heat, and oxygen, leading to a reduction in efficacy and potential formation of harmful by-products. New studies on alternative molecules and the potential loss of effectiveness have been developed. As a strategy, the nanoencapsulation/microencapsulation of active ingredients on a large scale has emerged as a technological tool, offering significant prospects for various market niches¹.

Nanoemulsions are systems composed of small particles (d ≈ 100 nm) dispersed in an immiscible liquid. Their primary components are surfactants, which can interact with both polar and non-polar phases². Upon reaching the critical micelle concentration, these micelles interact with active compounds, thereby acting as carriers and modulators of their release³. However, micelles exhibit instability at low temperatures due to the decreased kinetic energy, which disrupts the delicate balance of hydrophobic and hydrophilic interactions necessary for micelle formation and maintenance.

Our study proposes a water-in-oil (w/o) nanoemulsion of ascorbic acid (AA), composed of a mixed non-ionic micellar system. Utilizing Indorama products, the results demonstrate mixed micelles formed by ALKEST® SP 20 (Sorbitan monolaurate) and ALKEST® TW 80 Y (Polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate) with a R_H = 90 nm, loading efficiency over 90% for ascorbic acid. Additionally, the rheological modifier Oxiflow®F 1700 enabled the protection of AA at low temperatures (5 °C). The capacity of the nanoemulsion to protect the active ingredient from degradation proved successful during a period of 50 days (figure 1). Therefore, the developed system demonstrates multiple advantages, serving as an excellent protector and reservoir for actives sensitive to environmental physical conditions.