Characterization of lecithin liposomes prepared by polyol dilution method using 1,3-butylene glycol

Abstract

Liposomes, which are formed from phospholipids, have been widely applied in cosmetics for skin enhancement. The polyol dilution (PD) method is commonly used to prepare liposomes in the cosmetic industry. An understanding of liposome physicochemical properties is essential for cosmetic-formulation design and application. However, there have been few studies on the characterization of liposomes prepared by the PD method (PD-liposomes). Here, we studied the effect of 1,3-butylene glycol (BG) on the formation of egg-yolk lecithin (EL)-based PD-liposomes. Furthermore, the use of BG to control the liposome structural and membrane properties was investigated. The use of BG enables particle-size control of liposomes and improves the dispersion stability. In the preparation of PD-liposomes, the structure of the molecular assembly in the EL/BG binary system prior to hydration is an important factor in determining the type of PD-liposome produced. The key step in the preparation of unilamellar and multilamellar vesicles is the formation of spherical vesicles with low BG concentrations, or a stacked planar lamellar structure with high BG concentrations in the EL/BG binary system followed by hydration to form liposomes, respectively. Various properties of liposomes can be readily controlled by changing the polyol concentration. Therefore, the PD method is superior to the conventional method not only in terms of process advantages such as simplicity, ability to achieve mass production, and the absence of toxic organic solvents, but also in terms of suitability for industrial applications.