Abstract
Biocompatible nano particles are expected to be utilized as carrier of functional ingredient in food industry. Usually, the formation of nano particles using mechanical force is highly energy consuming process. However, nano self-assembled nano particles, which are assembled and formed spontaneously, do not need much energy. If nano self-assemblies can be utilized as a carrier of medicine and functional food ingredient, this spontaneously formed nano particles are suitable for protecting them from the inactivation by intense shear stress. We developed biocompatible nano self-assemblies composed of oleic acid and polyglycerin monomyristate (PGMM) in water. This system can be easily prepared by gently mixing these three components. The appropriate compositions to form the nano self-assemblies were presented. Mean diameter of nano self-assemblies was easily controlled by changing the composition of system. It was widely ranging from ca. 20 to 140nm measured by dynamic light scattering analysis. The size increased with the increase of PGMM concentration, when oleic acid concentration was kept at constant. These nano self-assemblies were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, dielectric relaxation spectroscopy and zeta potential measurement. The stability of nano self-assemblies was also examined. The nano self-assemblies in water were stored at room temperature, and the change of size was measured with time. The size did not change during ca. 1 month. This result shows that these nano self-assemblies composed of oleic acid and PGMM in water is very stable. β-carotene can be solubilized in water system using this nano self-assemblies as a semitransparent aqueous solution. Application of these nano self-assemblies would expand to pharmaceutical and food industries.
