Solubilization and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl antiradical activity of butylated hydroxyanisole in aqueous surfactant micelles

The solubilization of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) in aqueous surfactant solutions of different architectures (anionic, cationic, and nonionic) has been investigated to improve its aqueous solubility and assess the effect of surfactant-based multiphase environments on its antiradical activity against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Herein, we report that the micellar encapsulation and DDPH antiradical activity of BHA are highly dependent on the structure and amount of surfactant used. Radical scavenging activity (RSA) and solubilization were efficient in nonionics compared to ionics. DPPH reduction kinetics in micellar media is essential to uncover the behavior of BHA in multiphase environments commonly encountered in different food systems simulated by aqueous micelles. The study is important to identify the optimal medium for improving the solubility and antioxidant capacity of compounds like BHA, and to anticipate the effect of different micro-heterogeneous/multiphase environments on BHA's antioxidant capability.