Solid Lipid Nanoparticles

Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) developed via congealing process is considered as an ideal superseded for nanodispersions (Fig. 9.10). Fabrication of FeSO₄—SLNs (Fig. 9.10) using combination of two techniques of ultrasoni- cation (1—7 min) and hot homogenization (1 — 10 min) was done by Hosny, Banjar, Hariri, and Hassan (2015). Bioavailable Fe—SLNs with particles size

FIGURE 9.10 The FeSO4-loaded SLNs fabrication using hot homogenization—ultrasonication.

Retrieved, from Hosny et al. (2015).

of 25 nm and EE of 92.3% were obtained by preparing an optimal formulation containing 3% Compritol 888 ATO, 1% lecithin, 3% Poloxamer 188 surfactant, and 0.2% dicetylphosphate. The produced Fe-SLNs could resolve the problems related to the consumption of similar commercial samples, for example, constipation disorder, blood existence in stool, and extensive dissimilarities in the Fe-uptake and bioaccessibility level (Hosny et al., 2015). A new technique of double emulsion solvent evaporation to produce FeSO₄—SLNs based on stearic acid (SA) was before developed (Zariwala et al., 2013). An oily phase by dissolving SA into 1:1 mixture of dichloro- methane and methanol at 60° C was first made. The aqueous phase was prepared at temperature of 60°C by blending 10% PVA, 1%—3% FeSO₄ and 0.1%—0.4% CS—HCl. Homogenization (21,000 rpm, 4 min) was done by mixing two immiscible phases at 60^°C to reach a coarse microemulsion. Then, this emulsion was mixed with 1% PVA and finally rehomogenized for 7 min at the same temperature and stirring speed. In a hierarchy process, the resulted emulsion was evaporated, cooled, washed, freeze-dried (for 25 h at —40°C), and again dried (for 8 h at 20°C) in order to obtain Fe-loaded SLNs (300.3—495.1 nm). A rise in CS—HCl content in the studied range led to a significant improvement in Fe-EE of SLNs. Studying the in-vitro Fe-uptake based on the Caco-2 cell model showed that this parameter in Fe—SLN formulations was considerably more than the reference of FeSO₄. Production of these exciting delivery systems containing Fe can improve bioavailability of this bioactive ingredient in the body.