The Effects of Emulsifier Concentrations on Characteristics of Mentha Pulegium Nanodispersions

Subject Areas : The Application of Chemistry in Environment

Received: 2016-11-26 Accepted : 2017-01-14 Published : 2017-03-21

Keywords: Mentha pulegium, Spontaneous emulsification, Solvent displacement, Emulsifier,

Abstract :

The Mentha pulegium essential oil nanodispersions were prepared using combined spontaneous emulsification and solvent displacement techniques. The effects of hydrophobic and hydrophilic emulsifiers, namely, Tween 20 and Span 20, were studied on average particle size, particle size distribution, zeta potential, conductivity and turbidity of prepared nanodispersions. The results showed that the concentrations of emulsifiers had significant effects on all studied characteristics.  Except for particle size in which the smallest nanoparticles was obtained at the highest concentration of Tween 20, the average concentrations emulsifiers led to the production of the most desirable nanodispersions (smaller particle size, size distribution, turbidity and higher net zeta potential and conductivity). Therefore, proper choice of formulation variables can give the most desirable nanodispersions with pharmaceutical and food formulations uses.