Abstract:

This paper presents an optimized procedure for preparing VC nanoliposomes suspension by the ethanol injection
method. Two post-treatments were evaluated in terms of encapsulation efficiency. Using one-factor-at-a-time method
and orthogonal array design, the optimal conditions for preparing VC nanoliposomes suspension were determined as 40
mL of hydrated media, 400 mg of lecithin, 160 mg of VC, a cholesterol/lecithin ratio of 1:5 (m/m), a Tween-80/total lipid
ratio of 4:6 (m/m), hydration at 55 ℃, and three cycles of homogenization at 100 MPa. The encapsulation efficiency of
VC nanoliposomes suspension obtained under these conditions was 71.4%, average particle size 89.62 nm, polydispersity
index (PDI) 0.160, and surface potential (－20.1 ± 5.6) mV. The release in 0.05 mol/L PBS at pH 6.5 obeyed first-order
kinetics. Additionally, it was found that the stability of the VC nanoliposomes suspension decreased with increasing storage
temperature or time.

Key words: VC nanoliposomes suspension, ultrasonication, high pressure homogenization, release characteristics, stability