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3 Biotech. 2015 Apr; 5(2): 123–127. PMCID: PMC4362737

Published online 2014 Apr 8. doi: 10.1007/s13205-014-0214-0 PMID: 28324579

Nanoemulsion: an advanced mode of drug delivery system

Manjit Jaiswal, Rupesh Dudhe, and P. K. Sharma

Department of Pharmacy, School of Medical and Allied Sciences, Galgotias University, G. B. Nagar, Uttar
Pradesh India
Manjit Jaiswal, Email: manjitj2@gmail.com.
Corresponding author.

Received 2014 Jan 16; Accepted 2014 Mar 8.

Copyright © The Author(s) 2014

This article is published under license to BioMed Central Ltd.Open AccessThis article is distributed under the
terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits any use, distribution, and reproduction in any
medium, provided the original author(s) and the source are credited.

Abstract
An advanced mode of drug delivery system has been developed to overcome the major
drawbacks associated with conventional drug delivery systems. This review gives a
detailed idea about a nanoemulsion system. Nanoemulsions are nano-sized emulsions,
which are manufactured for improving the delivery of active pharmaceutical
ingredients. These are the thermodynamically stable isotropic system in which two
immiscible liquids are mixed to form a single phase by means of an emulsifying agent,
i.e., surfactant and co-surfactant. The droplet size of nanoemulsion falls typically in the
range 20–200 nm. The main difference between emulsion and nanoemulsion lies in the
size and shape of particles dispersed in the continuous phase. In this review, the
attention is focused to give a basic idea about its formulation, method of preparation,
characterization techniques, evaluation parameters, and various applications of
nanoemulsion.

Keywords: Nanoemulsion, Drug delivery, Emulgents, High-pressure homogenization

Introduction
Nanoemulsions are a colloidal particulate system in the submicron size range acting as
carriers of drug molecules. Their size varies from 10 to 1,000 nm. These carriers are
solid spheres and their surface is amorphous and lipophilic with a negative charge.
Magnetic nanoparticles can be used to enhance site specificity. As a drug delivery
system they enhance the therapeutic efficacy of the drug and minimize adverse effect
and toxic reactions. Major application includes treatment of infection of the
reticuloendothelial system (RES), enzyme replacement therapy in the liver, treatment
of cancer, and vaccination. An emulsion is a biphasic system in which one phase is
intimately dispersed in the other phase in the form of minute droplets ranging in
diameter from 0.1 to 100 μm. It is a thermodynamically unstable system, which can be
stabilized by the presence of an emulsifying agent (emulgent or emulsifier). The
dispersed phase is also known as internal phase or the discontinuous phase while the
outer phase is called dispersion medium, external phase or continuous phase. The
emulsifying agent is also known as intermediate or interphase. The term
‘nanoemulsion’ also refers to a miniemulsion which is fine oil/water or water/oil
dispersion stabilized by an interfacial film of surfactant molecule having droplet size
range 20–600 nm. Because of small size, nanoemulsions are transparent. There are
three types of nanoemulsion which can be formed: (a) oil in water nanoemulsion in
which oil is dispersed in the continuous aqueous phase, (b) water in oil nanoemulsion
in which water droplets are dispersed in continuous oil phase, and (c) bi-continuous
nanoemulsions.

Advantages of nanoemulsion

a. It may be used as substitute for liposomes and vesicles (Bouchemal et al. 2004a,
b).

b. It improves the bioavailability of drug (Kim et al. 2001; Wagner et al. 1996).

c. It is non-toxic and non-irritant in nature.

d. It has improved physical stability.

e. Nanoemulsions have small-sized droplets having greater surface area providing

greater absorption.

f. It can be formulated in variety of formulations such as foams, creams, liquids,

and sprays.

g. It provides better uptake of oil-soluble supplements in cell culture technology.

h. It helps to solubilize lipophilic drug.

i. Helpful in taste masking.

j. Less amount of energy is required.

Components of nanoemulsion
The main components of nanoemulsion are oil, emulsifying agents, and aqueous
phases (Gasco et al. 1991; Kriwet and Müller-Goymann 1995; Trotta 1999). Oils can be
of any type like castor oil, corn oil, coconut oil, evening primrose oil, linseed oil,
mineral oil, olive oil, peanut oil, etc. A mixture of oil and water may yield a crude
temporary emulsion, which upon standing, will separate in two distinct phases due to
the coalescence of the dispersed globules. Emulgents or emulsifying agents can impart
stability to such systems. Emulgents are broadly classified as surfactants like spans and
tweens, hydrophilic colloids such as acacia and finely divided solids, e.g., bentonite and
veegum. An emulgent, in addition to its emulsifying properties, should be nontoxic and
its taste, odour and chemical stability should be compatible with the product. Some of
the desirable properties of an emulgent are: (1) it should be able to reduce the surface
tension to below 10 dynes/cm, (2) it should be adsorbed rapidly around dispersed
phase globule to form a complete and coherent film to prevent coalescence, (3) it
should help in building up an adequate zeta potential and viscosity in the system so as
to impart optimum stability, and (4) it should be effective in a fairly low concentration.
Emulgents form monomolecular, multimolecular or particulate films around the
dispersed globules (Sharma and Jain 1985).

Monomolecular films
Surfactant type of emulgents stabilizes a nanoemulsion by forming a monolayer of
adsorbed molecules or ions at the interface reducing interfacial tension. In modern
day practice, combination of emulgents is preferred over single emulgent. The
combination consists of a predominantly hydrophilic emulgent in the aqueous phase
and a hydrophobic agent in the oily phase to form a complex film at the interface.

Multimolecular films
Hydrated lyophilic colloids form multimolecular films around globules of dispersed oil.
Hydrated colloids do not cause any appreciable lowering of surface tension and their
ability to form strong, coherent multimolecular films. Their tendency to increase the
viscosity of the continuous phase enhances the stability of emulsion.

Solid particulate films

The emulgents forming particulate films are small solid particles that are wetted to
some degree by both aqueous and non-aqueous liquid phases. They are concentrated
at the interface where they produce a film around the dispersed globules thus
preventing coalescence.

Formulation aspects and method of preparation of nanoemulsion

Formulation of nanoemulsion includes active drug, additive and emulsifier. The
various methods for the preparation of nanoemulsion include two methods: (a) high-
energy emulsification and (b) low-energy emulsification. The high-energy
emulsification method includes high-energy stirring, ultrasonic emulsification, high-
pressure homogenization, microfluidization, and membrane emulsification (Tiwari
and Amiji 2006; Perdiguer et al. 1997; Banker et al. 2002). The low-energy
emulsification method includes phase inversion temperature, emulsion inversion
point, and spontaneous emulsification (Ahuja et al. 2008). Using a combined method,
which includes the high-energy and low-energy emulsification, it is possible to prepare
reverse nanoemulsion in a highly viscous system.

Ultrasonic emulsification
Ultrasonic emulsification is very efficient in reducing droplet size. In ultrasonic
emulsification, the energy is provided through sonotrodes called as sonicator probe. It
contains piezoelectric quartz crystal which can expand and contract in response to
alternating electric voltage. As the tip of sonicator contacts the liquid, it produces
mechanical vibration and cavitation occurs. Cavitation is the formation and collapse of
vapour cavities in liquid. Thus, ultrasound can be directly used to produce emulsion; it
is mainly used in laboratories where emulsion droplet size as low as 0.2 micrometer
can be obtained.

High-pressure homogenization
The preparation of nanoemulsion requires high-pressure homogenization. This
technique makes use of high-pressure homogenizer/piston homogenizer to produce
nanoemulsion of extremely low particle size (up to 1 nm) (Asua 2002; Anton et al.
2008).

Microfluidization
Microfluidization is a patented mixing technology, which makes use of a device called
microfluidizer. This device uses high pressure which forces the drug product through
the interaction chamber resulting in a very fine particle of submicron range. The
process is repeated several times to obtain a desired particle size to produce uniform
nanoemulsion.

Phase inversion temperature

This method involves change in phase by applying a higher temperature to a
microemulsion (El-Aasser et al. 1986; Pouton 1997).

Spontaneous emulsification
It involves three steps: (a) preparation of homogeneous organic solution consisting of
oil and lipophilic surfactant in water miscible solvent and hydrophilic surfactant, (b)
the organic phase is injected in aqueous phase under continuous magnetic stirring,
o/w emulsion is formed, and (c) the aqueous phase is removed by evaporation under
reduced pressure (Solans et al. 2005; Tadros et al. 2004).

Factors to be considered during preparation of nanoemulsion

1. Surfactant must be selected carefully such that an ultralow interfacial tension

may be achieved which is a primary requirement to produce nanoemulsion.

2. Concentration of surfactant must be high enough to stabilize the microdroplets to

produce nanoemulsion.

3. The surfactant must be flexible or fluid enough to promote the formation of

nanoemulsion.

Characterization of nanoemulsion
A stable nanoemulsion is characterized by the absence of the internal phase, absence
of creaming, absence of deterioration by microorganisms, and maintenance of
elegance in respect of appearance, colour, odour and consistency (Sharma and Jain
1985). Hence the instability of emulsion can be classified as follows:

Flocculation and creaming

Flocculation consists of the joining together of globules to form large clumps or
floccules, which rise or settle in the emulsion more rapidly than the individual
globules. The rising up or settling down of dispersed globules to give a concentrated
layer is known as creaming. Thus flocculation leads to creaming.

Cracking
Cracking of an emulsion refers to separation of the dispersed phase as a layer.
Whereas a creamed emulsion may be reconstituted by shaking or agitation, a cracked
emulsion cannot be corrected. Cracking represents permanent instability. Cracking of
the emulsion may be due to: (1) addition of an emulgent of opposite nature, (2)
decomposition or precipitation of emulgent, (3) addition of a common solvent in which
both oily and aqueous phases are miscible, (4) extremes of temperature, (5)
microorganisms, (6) creaming.

Miscellaneous instability
Emulsions may deteriorate if stored under extremely high or low temperature or in
the presence of light. Hence emulsions are usually packed in air-tight, coloured
containers and stored at moderate temperature.

Phase inversion
It is the change in the type of emulsion from o/w to w/o and vice versa. It is the
physical process. Phase inversion may be brought about by varying the phase volume
ratio, addition of electrolytes, and temperature changes.

Evaluation parameters of nanoemulsion

Droplet size analysis

Droplet size analysis of nanoemulsion is measured by a diffusion method using a light-
scattering, particle size-analyzer counter, LS 230. It is also measured by correlation
spectroscopy that analyzes the fluctuation in scattering of light due to Brownian
motion. Droplet size analysis of nanoemulsion can also be performed by transmission
electron microscopy (TEM) (Bouchemal et al. 2004a, b; Alka et al. 2007; Farhan et al.
2008).

Viscosity determination
The viscosity of nanoemulsion is measured by using Brookfield-type rotary viscometer
at different shear rates at different temperatures.

Dilution test
Dilution of a nanoemulsion either with oil or with water can reveal this type. The test
is based on the fact that more of the continuous phase can be added into a
nanoemulsion without causing the problem of its stability. Thus, an o/w nanoemulsion
can be diluted with water and a w/o nanoemulsion can be diluted with oil.

Drug content
Preweighed nanoemulsion is extracted by dissolving in a suitable solvent, extract is
analyzed by spectrophotometer or HPLC against standard solution of drug (Singh and
Vingkar 2008; Chen et al. 2008).

Polydispersity
It indicates the uniformity of droplet size in nanoemulsion. The higher the value of
polydispersity, lower will be uniformity of droplet size of nanoemulsion. It can be
defined as the ratio of standard deviation to mean droplet size. It is measured by a
spectrophotometer.

Dye test
If a water-soluble dye is added in an o/w nanoemulsion the nanoemulsion takes up the
colour uniformly. Conversely, if the emulsion is w/o type and the dye being soluble in
water, the emulsion takes up the colour only in the dispersed phase and the emulsion
is not uniformly coloured. This can be revealed immediately by microscopic
examination of the emulsion.

Refractive index
Refractive index of nanoemulsion is measured by Abbes refractometer.

pH
The pH of nanoemulsion can be measured by pH meter.

Zeta potential

Zeta potential is measured by an instrument known as Zeta PALS. It is used to measure

the charge on the surface of droplet in nanoemulsion (Erol and Hans-Hubert 2005).

Fluorescence test
Many oils exhibit fluorescence when exposed to UV light. When a w/o nanoemulsion is
exposed to a fluorescence light under a microscope, the entire field fluoresces. If the
fluorescence is spotty, the nanoemulsion of o/w type.

Percentage transmittance
Percentage transmittance of nanoemulsion is measured by a UV-visible
spectrophotometer.

Conductance measurement
The conductance of nanoemulsion is measured by a conductometer. In this test a pair
of electrodes connected to a lamp and an electric source is dipped into an emulsion. If
the emulsion is o/w type, water conducts the current and lamp gets lit due to passage
of current between the electrodes. The lamp does not glow when the emulsion is w/o:
oil being in external phase does not conduct the current.

Filter paper test

This test is based on the fact that an o/w nanoemulsion will spread out rapidly when
dropped onto filter paper. In contrast, a w/o nanoemulsion will migrate only slowly.
This method should not be used for highly viscous creams (Sharma and Jain 1985).

Conclusion
Nanoemulsions are widely used in pharmaceutical systems. Nanoemulsion
formulation offers several advantages such as delivery of drugs, biological or
diagnostic agents. The most important application of nanoemulsion is for masking the
disagreeable taste of oily liquids. Nanoemulsion may also protect the drugs, which are
susceptible to hydrolysis and oxidation. Nowadays, nanoemulsions are used for
targeted drug delivery of various anticancer drugs, photo sensitizers or therapeutic
agents. Nanoemulsion can also provide prolonged action of the medicaments. Overall
all nanoemulsion formulation may be considered as effective, safe and with increased
bioavailability. It is expected that further research and development will be carried out
in the future regarding nanoemulsion.

Conflict of interest
The authors hereby want to declare that there is no conflict of interest whatsoever in
this publication.

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