Preparation of Curcumin Nanoemulsion in Soybean Oil – Tween 80 System by Wet Ball Milling Method

Abstract

Curcumin nanoemulsion which has a particle size of 20-200 nm, is one of the curcumin drug delivery system that can increase curcumin solubility and bioavailability. The previous method of curcumin nanoemulsion formulation is modified thin-film hydration followed by sonication that has a long process and using organic solvent. This study aims to make curcumin nanoemulsion by wet ball milling method in soybean oil – Tween 80 system. Nanoemulsion is expected to have smallest particle size, high curcumin loading capacity and good stability during storage. Preparation of curcumin nanoemulsion is done by wet milling method which consists of curcumin as drug, soybean oil as curcumin solvent, tween 80 as stabilizer, water as dispersed medium and milling beads as milling media on the vial with various milling time. Particle size and polydispersity index are monitored using dynamic light scattering while nanoemulsion morphology is observed using digital imaging microscope. Results show that optimum milling times is 24 h and the highest curcumin added which produces less than 500 nm particles is 300 mg which is stable during 60 days of storage. Particle size of the nanoemulsion is ranging from 127 – 338 nm. In addition, wet ball milling methods is relatively simple and easy to apply.