Characterization of phase and diffusion behaviors of oil, surfactant, and co-surfactant ternary systems for lipid-based delivery carriers

The phase and diffusion characteristics of ternary mixture (oil, surfactant, and co-surfactant) were investigated for their utilization as a precursor for the fabrication of lipid-based delivery carriers. Different types of phases (W/O microemulsion, bicontinuous, liquid crystal, gel and O/W conventional emulsion phases) were generated depending on the content of the co-surfactant aqueous solution. A suspension with the smallest lipid particle was obtained from the bicontinuous phase, followed by the W/O microemulsion, liquid crystal, O/W conventional emulsion, and gel. The W/O microemulsion and bicontinuous phases showing a phase transition into the hexagonal phase of lyotropic liquid crystal, were found to be suitable for lipid-based delivery carriers with small particle size distribution and quercetin encapsulation efficiency. Thus, the ternary mixtures of oil, surfactant and co-surfactant could be utilized as a precursor for the production of lipid-based delivery carriers with various particle sizes.