Encapsulation of neem (Azadirachta indica) seed oil in poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) by SFEE technique

• Published in: The Journal of supercritical fluids Vol. 152; p. 104556
• Main Authors: Mendonça, Flávia Manuella R., Polloni, André E., Junges, Alexander, da Silva, Ronaldo Santos, Rubira, Adley F., Borges, Gustavo R., Dariva, Cláudio, Franceschi, Elton
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.10.2019
• Subjects: Carbon dioxide; Encapsulation; Neem seed oil; PHBV; SFEE; Encapsulation; PHBV; Neem seed oil; SFEE; Carbon dioxide
• ISSN: 0896-8446; 1872-8162
• DOI: 10.1016/j.supflu.2019.104556

[Display omitted] •PHBV nanoparticles were produced through direct emulsion process.•Neem seed oil was encapsulated into PHBV nanoparticles by SFEE technique.•Statistically stable emulsions with narrow droplet size distribution were obtained.•Particle size after SFEE processing was smaller when compared to droplet size•SFEE showed to be an efficient and reliable technique for the encapsulation of neem seed oil in PHBV. Neem seed oil has several compounds, that need to be protected of light, oxygen and temperature to preserve their activity. The objective of this work was to encapsulate neem seed oil in PHBV by Supercritical Fluid Extraction of Emulsions technique. PHBV was characterized by NMR, SEC, DSC and TG. Emulsions were characterized by DLS to evaluate droplet size and emulsion stability. Encapsulation of neem seed oil into PHBV particles was verified by UV spectroscopy. Particles obtained after SFEE process were characterized by DLS and SEM. Through NMR analysis it was possible to quantify 82% hydroxybutyrate and 8% hydroxyvalerate. Particles presented two melting peaks, at 141 °C (hydroxyvalerate moiety) and at 170 °C (hydroxyvalerate moiety). Emulsion droplets presented an average size of 463 nm and were stable for at least 90 min. Average particle size after the SFEE was 228 nm. Encapsulation efficiency of neem oil into PHBV was between 8.58 and 12.79%. Results showed that stable emulsions are generated and suggested that SFEE technique is a reliable methodology for encapsulation of neem oil using PHBV as biopolymer.