title: The universality of low-energy nano-emulsification.
abstract: Extensive studies have been done on nano-emulsions and emulsification methods to provide nanometric-scaled templates for the formulation of nanoparticles. The so-called "low-energy" methods are of particular interest as they prevent the potential degradation of fragile encapsulated molecules. This work deals with new concepts in nano-emulsification using low-energy methods. Three-model ternary systems, water/nonionic surfactant/oil, were studied and compared. Nano-emulsions were generated using both spontaneous emulsification and the PIT method, so as to study the links between these two nano-emulsification methods. The influence of the composition and formulation variables on the nano-emulsion properties and emulsification procedures were thus investigated. This study pioneers the concept of the universality of low-energy nano-emulsification, proving that all these low-energy methods (i.e. spontaneous emulsification and the phase inversion temperature (PIT) method) are governed by a single unique mechanism. It thus provides a better understanding of low-energy nano-emulsification processes and notably the PIT method, useful in the fields of nanoparticle and nano-pharmaceutic formulations. These results are fundamental in establishing experimental procedures for the incorporation of drugs in nano-emulsions.
authors.affiliation: CNRS 7199, Université de Strasbourg, Faculté de Pharmacie, Laboratoire de Conception et Application de Molécules Bioactives, équipe de Pharmacie Biogalénique, 74 route du Rhin BP 60024 F-67401 Illkirch Cedex, France. nicolas.anton@pharma.u-strasbg.fr
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Anton
authors.forename: Thierry F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Vandamme
mesh_terms: D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical / Q000379:methods*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D045703:Emulsifying Agents / Q000737:chemistry; D004655:Emulsions / Q000737:chemistry; D053758:Nanoparticles; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D010316:Particle Size
chemical_list: D045703:Emulsifying Agents; D004655:Emulsions