5 - FORMULATION OF LIPID MICRO/NANODISPERSION SYSTEMS

Abstract

This chapter presents an overview of the authors’ recent investigations into the formulation of lipid micro/nanodispersion systems by top-down and bottom-up approaches. It describes Microchannel (MC) emulsification, developed by the authors’ research group and focuses on the fundamentals of MC emulsification, MC emulsification devices, and the formulation of lipid microdispersions using MC emulsification and demonstrates that lipid micro/nanodispersions with precisely controlled droplet/particle sizes and/or unique interfacial properties can be formulated by a top-down approach, a bottom-up approach, or a combination of both. MC emulsification, a top-down approach, is a promising technique to produce lipid monodisperse single and multiple emulsions. Practically, MC emulsification is also a robust process, since the droplet size and its distribution of the resultant emulsions are basically insensitive to the flow of the dispersed and continuous phases. Monodisperse emulsions obtained by MC emulsification are useful templates for formulating monodisperse microparticles, microcapsules, and giant vesicles. The chapter demonstrates the controlled formulation of lipid-based nanodispersions by top-down and bottom-up approaches. The lipid micro/nanodispersions discussed in the chapter have the potential for food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic applications. Scale-up of their formulation processes, including MC emulsification devices could lead to a range of novel food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic products.