Cold-Burst Method for Nanoparticle Formation with Natural Triglyceride Oils

Preparation of nanoemulsions triglyceride oils in water usually requires high mechanical energy and sophisticated equipment. Recently, we showed that alpha-to-beta (viz. gel-to-crystal) phase transition, observed with most lipid substances (triglycerides, diglycerides, phospholipids, alkanes, etc.), may cause spontaneous disintegration micro-particles these lipids, dispersed aqueous solutions appropriate surfactants, into nanometer particles/drops using a simple cooling/heating cycle the dispersion (Cholakova et al. ACS Nano 14 (2020) 8594). In current study show this "cold-burst process" is also natural practical interest, incl. coconut oil, palm kernel oil cocoa butter. Mean drop diameters ca. 50 to 100 nm were achieved some studied oils. From results dedicated model experiments conclude intensive nano-fragmentation when following requirements are met: (1) The three contact angle at air-water-solid interface below 30 degrees; (2) equilibrium surface tension surfactant solution mN/m dynamic decreases rapidly. (3) contains non-spherical micelles. e.g. ellipsoidal micelles or bigger supramolecular aggregates; (4) measured line (frozen oil-melted oil-surfactant solution) relatively low. mechanism(s) particle bursting process revealed and, on basis, role all factors clarified discussed. We explain main effects experimentally define guiding principles for optimization cold-burst various, practically relevant lipid-surfactant systems.