Physical stability of microliposomes in bene (Pistacia atlantica) oil with different formulations

Bene oil (pistacia atlantica), as a plant source, is rich in phenolic and tocopherol compounds and has significant antioxidant, therapeutic and antimicrobial effects. Encapsulation of hydrophobic compounds in liposome system is an ideal solution for protecting them against destruction during storage. An important advantage of liposomes is the encapsulation of hydrophilic, hydrophobic and amphiphilic compounds by using natural phospholipids, such as lecithin, with beneficial effects. The aim of this study is to encapsulate the bene kernel oil in the form of microliposomes. For this purpose, the effect of composition of liposomes based on lecithin and cholesterol was studied using the Mozafari method. Liposomes are prepared using lecithin and cholesterol in the ratios of 60:0, 50:10, 40:20 and 30:30. Particle size, size distribution, zeta potential and encapsulation efficiency were charac-terised. According to the result, the size of liposomes was dependent on their composition, but the wasaffected significantly affected by adding cholesterol (P < 0.05). Average diameter of the particles was between 4 and 9 µm. Liposome with a ratio of 40:20 had the smallest size. By applying cholesterol, zeta potential increased from 16.4 mV to 32.39 mV, which indicates electrostatic stability of liposomes. In general, with encapsulation efficiency of 84.33%, the ratio of 40:20 is considered as an ideal concentration in the formulation of microliposomes. Based on the results, bene oil-loaded liposomes with a lecithin:cholesterol formulation ratio of :as 40:20 was chosen as an optimal formulation because of its smaller particle size, higher zeta potential and suitable stability, which can be used in trapping, delivering and releasing hydrophilic, adipose-friendly and amphiphilic compounds (dual-friendly).