Application of Nanotechnology to Enhance the Effectiveness and Stability of Essential Oils

Abstract

The global demand for essential oils is expanding as a result of their numerous applications and increasing consumer exposure in the international market. Essential oils (EOs) are mixtures of volatile compounds including, but not limited to, phenolics, esters, ketones, terpenes, alcohols, and amides. The majority of EOs have excellent antioxidant, antibacterial, and functional activities. These natural products have conquered space in the food, drug, and cosmetic commercial arena. Unfortunately, like many lipophilic and aromatic active substances, EO presents some drawbacks such as low water solubility, strong organoleptic characteristics, low stability, and limited administration routes, which confines their Industrial use. EOs can be nanoencapsulated to increase their persistence, and bioavailability in the biological process by employing the optimum encapsulation polymers. Additionally, these particles are capable of controlling the release of the EOs promoting a prolonged preservative effect in cosmetics and foods, as well as a potential advantage for pharmaceutical dosage forms. The current research focuses on the essential features of EOs as well as their encapsulation methods. Furthermore, the potential applications of applying nanoencapsulated essential oils in the healthcare field were addressed.