The colloidal and release properties of cardamom oil encapsulated nanostructured lipid carrier

Abstract

Cocoa butter and olive oil were used to produce cardamom essential oil (CEO) loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs). The developed NLC formulations had small size (<150 nm) and high entrapment efficiency (>90%). Scanning electron microscopy showed the round shape of NLC particles. During storage time, the particle size stayed under 150 nm, and zeta potential was almost unchanged (P > 0.05). FTIR analysis revealed no new significant chemical interaction between CEO and the NLC components. According to the in vitro release study, a large amount of CEO was encapsulated inside NLC particles (40 to 55% release in 40 days). Also, results confirmed that encapsulation of CEO by NLC was able to protect its antioxidant activity as compared to CEO emulsion (5.7 and 12.32% reduction after 30 days, respectively). CEO release from NLCs was fitted well with the Rigter–Peppas model (R² > 93%). The results confirmed that CEO-loaded NLC could be used as a food supplement.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• NLC
• cardamom
• FTIR
• release study
• antioxidant activity

Additional information

Funding

The authors gratefully acknowledge the support of University of Tabriz and the support of Drug Applied Research Center of Tabriz University of Medical Science.