Study of the nano-encapsulated vitamin D3 in the bio-based phase change material: Synthesis and characteristics

• Published in: Journal of molecular liquids 2022-03, Vol.350, p.118484, Article 118484
• Main Authors: Mohammadi, Behrouz, Shekaari, Hemayat, Zafarani-Moattar, Mohammed Taghi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Drug release; Eutectic mixture; Nanocapsule; Thermosensitive; Vitamin D3
• ISSN: 0167-7322; 1873-3166
• DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2022.118484

•Vitamin D3 was nanoencapsulated for thermo-sensitive drug delivery purpose.•Vitamin D3 capsulated successfully in stearic acid-lauric acid (SA-LA) eutectic mixture.•The particle size distribution measurement shows a PSD (70–550 nm).•Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) show drug to PCM ratio with (65:35) wt.%. Nanocapsulation of vitamin D3 in the bio-based phase change material (PCM) is the aim of this work which can be used for thermo-sensitive drug delivery applications. PCMs with phase changing temperatures close to the body temperature (37 ◦C) are suitable shells for this purpose. Stearic-lauric acid with (1:3) mole ratio was selected based on T-history study as the eutectic mixture and phase change material for nanocapsulation of vitamin D3 in core-shell morphology and spherical form. Characterization of the produced nanocapsules using gas chromatography, FT-IR, and SEM techniques, indicate the applicability of the used nanocapsulation method with an efficiency of more than 97.8%. The particle size distribution (PSD) by (80–530) nm was observed for the produced nanocapsules. Zeta potential measurements show good stability for nanocapsules in the suspension form in 120 days. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) test supply vitamin D3 to PCM ratio with (65:35) wt.% which is in good agreement with that used in the recipe. Finally, evaluated releasing time for the prepared nanocapsules indicates easy and fast release of the nanocapsulated vitamin D3 at the body temperature (T = 37 °C).