Physicothermal Properties of Freeze-Dried Fish Oil Nanocapsules Frozen under Different Conditions

Abstract

This research compared the effects of vacuum freeze drying (VFD) and conventional freeze drying (CFD) processes on the stability of fish oil–loaded nanocapsules (NCs). For CFD, the NCs showed aggregation that was dependent on the freezing temperature. The encapsulation efficiency of CFD was greater than that of VFD, except at the freezing temperature of −30°C. From differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images, it was concluded that the CFD process was more effective in the oxidative stability of the fish oil–loaded NCs. In addition, the vacuum-freezing process may affect the fragility of the poly-ϵ-caprolactone membrane due to its low encapsulation efficiency and aggregation of particles. No differences in Z-potential values between the CFD samples were observed, whereas in the VFD samples, it became increased in the negative charge when decreasing the cooling temperature of the fish oil–loaded nanocapsules for the freeze-drying procedure. Regarding the observation of surface tension, CFD samples presented lower values than VFD samples at given freezing temperature.

Keywords:

• Emulsion–diffusion method
• Fish oil
• Freeze drying
• Nanocapsule
• Vacuum freezing

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This work was partially supported by a grant from the Brain Korea 21 Project.

Notes

^a Polydisperse index.

^b Average ± standard deviation (n = 3).

^c Conventional freeze drying.

^d Vacuum freezing and drying.

*The mean difference is significant at the 0.05 level when compared with the control.

^a Average ± standard deviation (n = 3).

^b Conventional freeze drying.

^c Vacuum freezing and drying.