Preparation, Characterization, and Preliminary Antibrowning Evaluations of Norartocarpetin Microemulsions

Abstract

Norartocarpetin is a flavone widely distributed in Moraceae plants with strong tyrosinase inhibitory activity. However, its poor solubility in aqueous systems and in food grade solvents (oils) limits its extensive applications. The aim of this study was to improve the solubility of norartocarpetin by developing an oil-in-water (o/w) microemulsion with food grade components. A microemulsion was developed and characterized, and its chemical and physical stabilities were also evaluated within 8 weeks. Using the construction of pseudoternary phase diagrams, the optimized formulation of 2% w/w of ethyl oleate, 12% w/w of Tween 80, 6% w/w of polyethylene glycol 400, and 80% w/w of water was obtained, with a maximum solubility of norartocarpetin up to 1.73 ± 0.21 mg/mL, at least a 1000-fold increase in solubility. The microemulsion base and norartocarpetin-loaded microemulsion were demonstrated to be stable after accelerated and long-term conditions (8 weeks). The norartocarpetin microemulsion still showed strong tyrosinase inhibitory activity and antibrowning effect on fresh-cut apple slices. These combined results indicated that norartocarpetin microemulsion may be suitable as an antibrowning agent for fresh-cut fruits.

Characterization of a New Flavone and Tyrosinase Inhibition Constituents from the Twigs of Morus alba L.

“…The tyrosinase inhibitory activities of isolated compounds were determined by spectrophotometric method as described in our previous study [30]. The compounds were firstly dissolved in DMSO at a concentration of 1.0 mg/mL and then diluted to different concentrations with DMSO.…”

Encapsulation artocarpanone and ascorbic acid in O/W microemulsions: Preparation, characterization, and antibrowning effects in apple juice

“…Among four cosurfactants, PEG 400 has the maximum solubility values for Arto. From the above results, it was found that Tween 80 and PEG 400 had good solubility capacity for Arto, our previous study also showed that both of them exhibited good solubility capacity for norartocarpetin, a flavone (Zheng et al, 2015). These results implied that Tween 80 and PEG might be the solvents with good solubility for flavonoids.…”

Preparation and Characterization of Microemulsions of Myricetin for Improving Its Antiproliferative and Antioxidative Activities and Oral Bioavailability

“…After the components and ratio of surfactants to cosurfactants ( K m ) were optimized through pseudoternary phase diagram, the ratio of surfactants/cosurfactants mixture to oils ( K value) should be optimized by investigating the criteria, such as loading capacity, droplet size, oral safety, and stability. ,, …”

“…After the components and ratio of surfactants to cosurfactants (K m ) were optimized through pseudoternary phase diagram, the ratio of surfactants/cosurfactants mixture to oils (K value) should be optimized by investigating the criteria, such as loading capacity, droplet size, oral safety, and stability. 25,37,38 Nine blank formulations were first prepared with different K value (from K1 1:9 to K9 9:1) and optimized synergetic surfactants ratio (Tween 80/Cremophor RH40 = 1:2) and K m (K m = 2:1) (Supplemental Table 1). Phase separation was observed in K1 (1:9) and K2 (2:8).…”