A facile synthesis of pectin/red clover extract nanoemulsions and nanofibers

Abstract

The aim of this article was to generate pectin(P)/red clover extract (RCE) nanoemulsions (NEs) and nanofibers via a simple and short procedure for potential applications in women’s health. To that end, stock aqueous RCE NEs were prepared first in the absence and presence of a surfactant mixture consisting of 1/3 Span® 80/Tween® 80 with the help of an ultrasonic homogenizer using various processing times (0, 1, 5, and 10 min). Droplet sizes of RCE NEs were measured and statistically evaluated. The most significant factor was revealed to be the presence of surfactant mixture. The minimum droplet size (51 ± 1 nm) could be achieved by determining the ultrasonication time as 5 min in the presence of the surfactant mixture. Stock aqueous RCE NEs were exploited for preparing pectin-containing RCE NEs. Independent of the surfactant mixture, addition of pectin increased the droplet sizes substantially (372–458 nm and 509–728 nm in the absence and presence of the surfactant mixture). Neat pectin nanofibers had fiber diameters of 389 ± 87 nm. However, addition of the RCE NEs led to fiber with larger diameters (569 ± 134 nm and 763 ± 188 nm in the absence and presence of the surfactant mixture, respectively).