Candelilla Wax Nanoemulsions Prepared by Phase Inversion Composition (PIC) Method

Abstract

Candelilla wax-in-water nanoemulsions stabilized by Span 80/Tween 80 were prepared by the phase inversion composition (PIC) method. Stable nanoemulsions with droplet diameters below 50 nm could be formed when the hydrophilic–lipophilic balance (HLB) values were between 13.5 and 14.5, surfactant concentration was 5.0 wt%, and the surfactant-wax ratio was 1:1. Increased emulsification temperature and cooling rate were found to improve the emulsion properties. Process of PIC (adding aqueous phase to the wax phase) produced smaller droplet size nanoemulsion compared to the process of adding wax phase to the aqueous phase. The stability of these nanoemulsions was assessed by following the change in droplet diameters with time of storage at room temperature (∼25 °C). The size remained constant during 2 months storage time.