Nanoemulsions of β-carotene using a high-energy emulsification-evaporation tech...

• Author(s): Silva, Hélder D. ; Cerqueira, M. A. ; Souza, B. W. S. ; Ribeiro, Clara ; Avides, Maria do Carmo ; Quintas, Mafalda A. C. ; Coimbra, Jane Sélia dos Reis ; Cunha, M. G. C. ; Vicente, A. A.
• Date: 2011
• Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/1822/11337
• Origin: RepositóriUM - Universidade do Minho
• Subject(s): β-Carotene; Nanoemulsion; Size distribution; Storage stability
• Document Type: Article
• Language: English

Description

Nanoemulsions of β-carotene were prepared using a high-energy emulsification-evaporation technique based on a 23 level factorial design. Results show that it is possible to obtain dispersions at a nanoscale range. Process parameters such as time and shear rate of homogenization affected significantly particle size distribution in terms of volume-weighted mean diameter and surface-weighted mean diameter. The obtained nanoemulsions presented a volume-surface diameter ranging from 9 to 280 nm immediately after the production of particles, displaying in all cases a monomodal size distribution. Those nanoemulsions showed a good physical stability during 21 days storage. The stability was evaluated by the maintenance of size distribution. However, β-carotene retention inside the micelles and color were affected by storage. Processing conditions also influenced storage stability.