Influence of oil phase, surfactant on nano-emulsion based on essential oil from orange using phase inversion temperature method

Abstract

Essential oils are incredibly effective natural antimicrobials, and they have the potential for substitute synthetic antimicrobials in the food industry, but the use of essential oils is restricted by their little solubility in water. In this research, the phase inversion temperature (PIT) method was employed to produce essential oil from orange nano-emulsions. The effects of oil phase composition, surfactant, and storage condition on the formation and stability of the nano-emulsions were investigated. Study results showed that the surfactant and oil phase constitution highly influenced the thermal property of the nano-emulsions. The transparent nano-emulsions system with the least average droplet size (46.5 nm) was created in the conditions: 10 wt% tween 80, 8 wt% essential oil from orange, 2 wt% coconut oil, and distilled water. The mean droplet diameter of these nano-emulsions raised over time and depended on the composition of surfactants. The nano-emulsion systems contained 10% tween 80 gained small size and stability after 30 days of storage, while systems with 20% tween 80 showed instability, and particle size increased rapidly after 30 days of storage. These outcomes of this investigation could be useful for the fabrication and use of nano-emulsions as distribution systems in food technology.