Bioinspired nucleolipid as a low molecular weight oleogelator for oil-in-water nanoemulsions

Abstract

Low molecular-weight organogels are particularly attractive soft materials for drug delivery, tissue engineering, environmental remediation and the food industry. In this study, we describe a molecular approach to develop nucleolipid (NL) as a novel low molecular weight oleogelator (LMWO). NL 5 demonstrated self-assembling properties, forming a three-dimensional solid-like network that traps a substantial amount of the carrier oil solvent and enables the creation of an oleogel. As a bio-inspired, low molecular-weight oleogelator, NL 5 was able to stabilize thixotropic medium chain triglyceride (MCT)-based oleogels at low concentrations (1.5% w/w). Furthermore, this NL also induced the gelation of an oil-in-water nanoemulsion, resulting in a novel oleogel-based nanoemulsion through supramolecular interactions. Unlike common strategies that rely on trapping the dispersed phase by gelation of the continuous phase, we report an innovative oil-in-water nanoemulsion obtained via gelation of dispersed oil droplets. These oil droplets form an oleogel through LMWO based on NL, which is used at a remarkably low final concentration (1% w/w). The bio-inspired and biocompatible nature of this oleogelator, along with its efficiency at low concentrations and its ability to gel a nanoemulsion, makes it particularly appealing for further cosmetic and pharmaceutical developments.