Synthesis and Characterization of <i>Citrus limonum</i> Essential Oil Based Nanoemulsion and Its Enhanced Antioxidant Activity with Stability for Transdermal Application

Abstract

Lemon oil (LO), also known as Citrus limonum is a highly volatile essential oil (EO) with potential therapeutic properties like anti-oxidative, anti-proliferative, anti-fungal and anti-cancerous. However, the efficacy of LO is limited due to its physiological factors such as high volatility, poor stability (particularly sensitive to sunlight) and quick degradability upon exposure. To overcome these challenges, we formulated lemon oil loaded nanoemulsion system (LO-NE) (oil-in-water), using aqueous titration method. The formulation comprised of lemon oil (LO), Tween 80 and ethanol as oil, surfactant and co-surfactant phases respectively. The existence zone of NE was established by constructing pseudo-ternary phase diagrams using different concentrations of LO, surfactant and co-surfactant (S mix ). The quantitative estimation of LO was performed using a high throughput gas chromatography, revealing the presence of various compounds like Limonene, Alpha-Pinene and Linalyl acetate followed by the estimation of total phenolics and flavonoid content. The characterization of LO-NE indicated the particle size of 60 ± 2.5 nm along with the polydispersity index of 0.125 and zeta potential of −14.9 mV. The size range of the NE particles dispersed in the colloidal system was further verified by TEM micrograph which shows size range between 46.2 -104.7 nm. All the anti-oxidant assays outcomes exhibited the higher activity of LO-NE in comparison to LO alone with lower IC 50 values. The release kinetics statistical data showed that LO-NE had a sustained release and followed the Higuchi's model How to cite this paper:

Preparation, Characterization and Biological Activities of an Oil-in-Water Nanoemulsion from Fish By-Products and Lemon Oil by Ultrasonication Method

“…This is evident in this study, where significant instability problems such as flocculation, coalescence, and sedimentation were not detected in NE-FLO at temperatures of 4 and 25 °C. Kaur et al [ 6 ] also observed a zeta potential value lower than 30 mV, but the nanoemulsion produced had a higher stability percentage compared to the individual oil tested. Cossetin et al [ 28 ] also encountered the same situation when their nanoemulsion zeta potential value was only 11 mV, but the formulation was remarkably stable for more than three months.…”

“…Citrus limonum , often known as lemon oil, is a highly volatile essential oil that can be applied therapeutically due to its anti-oxidative, anti-proliferative, antibacterial, and anti-cancerous merits [ 5 , 6 ]. Lemon essential oil’s antioxidant properties benefit human skin as it undergoes environmental and chronological ageing [ 7 ].…”

“…Other than that, lemon oil could help to restore the skin’s natural balance and nourish damaged skin while hydrating the skin. However, the physicochemical properties of lemon oil, such as high volatility, poor stability and rapid degradability upon exposure, lamentably, impede its potency [ 6 ]. Thus, to overcome the issue of oil degradation, one of the methods to stabilize the oil is through nanoemulsions formulation.…”