Plant-animal extracts and biocompatible polymers forming oil-in-water emulsions: Formulations for food and pharmaceutical industries

Abstract

The development of formulations from plant or animal extracts and polymeric platforms has been well established toward emulsion-based delivery systems, avoiding the use of conventional surfactants. This approach involves the stabilization of poorly water-soluble extracts by polymers, improving their dispersion into food and pharmaceutical products, avoiding premature degradation, and resulting in better bioavailability. According to the literature, extracts are obtained via conventional and novel methods, which exhibit advantages and disadvantages related to using organic solvent, temperature, time, pressure, and equipment cost. Similarly, for polymer-based emulsifiers, there are different methods to obtain them. Also, their chemical composition and morphology (linear, branched, and crosslinked) play relevant roles in their performance as stabilizing agents. On the other hand, oil-in-water emulsions from plant-animal extracts and biocompatible polymers have been prepared using different strategies focused on achieving high stability of the colloidal system. Hence, this review provides current information regarding some protocols used for the extraction/synthesis of materials and the development of promising formulations.