A miniemulsion (also known as nanoemulsion) is a particular type of emulsion. A miniemulsion is obtained by ultrasonicating a mixture comprising two Miscible liquid phases (for example, oil and water), one or more surfactants and, possibly, one or more co-surfactants (typical examples are hexadecane or cetyl alcohol). They usually have nanodroplets with uniform size distribution (20–500 nm) and are also known as sub-micron, mini-, and ultra-fine grain emulsions.
How to prepare a miniemulsion
-
Selection of ingredients: The first step in creating a nanoemulsion is to select the ingredients, which include the oil, water, and emulsifying agent. The type and proportions of these ingredients will affect the stability and properties of the final emulsion.
-
Preparation of oil and aqueous phases: The oil and water phases are separately prepared, with any desired ingredients, such as surfactants or flavoring agents, added at this step.
-
Mixing oil and emulsifier with stirrer: Next, the oil and water phases are mixed in the presence of an emulsifying agent, typically using a high-shear mixing device such as a homogenizer or a high-pressure homogenizer.
-
Aging and stabilization: The emulsion is typically aged at room temperature to allow the droplets to stabilize, after which it can be cooled or heated as required.
-
Optimizing and characterization: The droplet size and stability are then optimized by adjusting the ingredients and process parameters, such as temperature, pH, and mixing conditions. The nanoemulsion is also sterilized by filtration with 0.22μm. Several methods, such as DLS, TEM, and SEM, can characterize the final nanoemulsion's properties.
-
Analyzing the quality of the particle sizer
Methods of preparing nanoemulsions/miniemulsions
There are two general types of methods for preparing miniemulsions:
-
High-energy methods - For the high-energy methods, the shearing proceeds usually via exposure to high power ultrasound
[Peshkovsky A, Peshkovsky S, "Acoustic Cavitation Theory and Equipment Design Principles for Industrial Applications of High-Intensity Ultrasound", Physics Research and Technology, Nova Science Pub. Inc., October 31, 2010, ][ "Translucent Oil-in-Water Nanoemulsions", Industrial Sonomechanics, LLC, 2011]
"Nanoemulsions Used for Parenteral Nutrition", Industrial Sonomechanics, LLC, 2011
"Drug-Carrier Liposomes and Nanoemulsions", Industrial Sonomechanics, LLC, 2011 of the mixture or with a high-pressure homogenizer, which are high-shearing processes.
-
Low-energy methods - For the low-energy methods, the water-in-oil emulsion is usually prepared and then transformed into an oil-in-water miniemulsion by changing either composition or temperature. The water-in-oil emulsion is diluted dropwise with water to an inversion point or gradually cooled to a phase inversion temperature. The emulsion inversion point and phase inversion temperature cause a significant decrease in the Surface tension between two liquids, thereby generating very tiny oil droplets dispersed in the water.
Miniemulsions are kinetically stable but thermodynamically unstable.[Mason TG, Wilking JN, Meleson K, Chang CB, Graves SM, "Nanoemulsions: formation, structure, and physical properties", Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter, 2006, 18(41): R635-R666] With the addition of , stable droplets are then obtained, which have typically a size between 50 and 500 nm.
Instruments needed in nanoemulsions
Sterile filter
A sterile filter is a device used to remove microorganisms and other contaminants from a liquid or gas, making it sterile.
Sterile filters are commonly used in the medical, pharmaceutical, and biotech industries to ensure that the products produced are free of bacteria and other harmful organisms.
There are different types of filters which include:
-
: These filters use a porous membrane to block microorganisms and other particles physically.
-
: These filters use a matrix of fibers, beads, or powders to trap particles and microorganisms.
-
Adsorptive filters: These filters use adsorbent materials, such as activated carbon, or specialized resins or beads, to remove certain types of contaminants by chemical adsorption.
Nanogenizer
A nanogenizer, also known as a high-pressure
homogenizer or a microfluidizer, is a device used to create small droplets or particles by applying high pressure to a liquid mixture.
These devices can be used to produce nanoemulsions, as well as other types of
and suspensions.
They work by passing the mixture through a small orifice under high pressure, which causes the liquid to be sheared and broken into small droplets or particles. The size of the droplets or particles can be controlled by adjusting the pressure and the design of the orifice.
Nanoparticle sizer
A
nanoparticle sizer, also known as a nanoparticle analyzer, is a device used to measure the size, size distribution, and concentration of
in a sample.
The size of nanoparticles is typically in the range of 1 to 100 nanometers (nm), and they are much smaller than the particles that can be measured with conventional particle size
Analyser.
Applications
Miniemulsions have wide application in the synthesis of nanomaterials and in the pharmaceutical and food industries.
For example, miniemulsion-based processes are, therefore, particularly adapted for the generation of
nanomaterials. There is a fundamental difference between traditional emulsion polymerisation and a miniemulsion polymerisation. Particle formation in the former is a mixture of micellar and homogeneous nucleation, particles formed via miniemulsion however are mainly formed by droplet nucleation. In the pharmaceutical industry, oil droplets act as tiny containers that carry water-insoluble drugs, and the water provides a mild environment that is compatible with the human body.
Moreover, nanoemulsions that carry drugs allow the drugs to crystallize in a controlled size with a good dissolution rate.
Finally, in the food industry, miniemulsions can not only be loaded with water-insoluble nutrients, such as
Beta-Carotene and
curcumin, but also improve the nutrients' digestibility.
Miniemulsions are also used in the creation of cannabinoid infused beverages and foods. Emulsifying cannabiniods has shown to increase bioavailability and digestion time.
