Co-encapsulation of curcumin and vitamin D3 in mixed phospholipid nanoliposomes using a continuous supercritical CO2 assisted process

Curcumin and vitamin D3 (VD3) are nutraceutical compounds that exert important roles in the human health. Nanoencapsulation in liposomes appears as a suitable target delivery system that can also enhance the bioavailability of these biomolecules. Vesicles were prepared using different ratios of hydrogenated and non-hydrogenated phospholipids, obtained from soy and egg-yolk. A supercritical CO2 assisted process was used to produce the nanoliposomes. The operative parameters were 40 °C and 100 bar, using a water flow rate of 10 mL/min. Nanoliposomes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering to determine their morphology and stability; whereas biomolecules encapsulation efficiency and release kinetics were measured by a UV/Vis spectrophotometer. Antioxidant activity and the effect of stress-induced conditions on the nanoliposomes were also investigated. Nanoliposomes mean diameters ranged from 128 to 228 nm, with encapsulation efficiencies up to 95% for curcumin and 74% for VD3. The addition of 30% w/w of saturated phospholipids to the starting formulation promoted an increase in size of vesicles and a consequent increase in the encapsulation efficiency of both biomolecules. The antioxidant activity of curcumin was preserved after processing and the co-loaded nanovesicles demonstrated a good stability under different stress conditions