Journal of Oil Palm Research Vol. 28 (1) March 2016, p. 121-130

PRODUCTION OF TOCOLS NANOEMULSION BY ULTRASONICATION

PIK SEAH GOH*; NG MEI HAN**; CHOO, Y M**; NASRULHAQ BOYCE AMRU* and CHENG HOCK CHUAH‡

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21894/jopr.2016.2801.14
ABSTRACT

Nanoemulsion has proven to be one of the efficient approaches to improve tocols (tocopherols and tocotrienols) solubility in aqueous solution. High energy emulsification method such as ultrasonication and microfluidisation has been widely applied. The objective of this study was to prepare palm-based tocols nanoemulsion using ultrasonication to produce small average droplet size (<100 nm) and narrow droplet size distribution with low polydispersity index (PDI) value. The optimal ultrasonication duration and amplitude of 80 min and 100% produced nanoemulsion of an average droplet size of 104.1 ± 2.9 nm with PDI value of 0.215 ± 0.008. The mixing of Tween 80-Brij 35 (50:50 w/w) with concentration of 1.5% w/v produced an average droplet size of 54.8 ± 1.2 nm and PDI of 0.266 ± 0.006. Although the increase of emulsifier concentrations to 3% w/v from 0.75% w/v produced an average droplet size of 45.4 ± 1.0 nm, PDI obtained was high 0.404 ± 0.002 indicating that the droplet size distribution was becoming less monodisperse. The produced nanoemulsion will be extruded into gelling solution to form calcium alginate beads. Total tocols encapsulate within the bead and release of tocols from the bead will be evaluated and reported in future study.

KEYWORDS:


* Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

** Malaysian Palm Oil Board, 6 Persiaran Institusi, Bandar Baru Bangi, 43000 Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia. E-mail: meihan@mpob.gov.my

‡ Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.