Preparation and Characterization of Nanostructured Lipid Carriers (NLCs) Formulated with Palm Kernel Stearin and Rice Bran Oil as Squalene Carriers Via Ultrasonication

The main objective of this study was to optimize squalene-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers using a lipid matrix of palm kernel stearin, rice bran oil, and Tween 80 as surfactants. Nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) was prepared using the ultrasonication method. Optimization process was performed using Box-Behnken Design (BBD) response surface methodology (RSM). Three ultrasonication parameters were employed including temperature, time, and amplitude. The optimization was evaluated for its response on particle size (X1), polydispersity index (X2), zeta potential (X3), and encapsulation efficiency (X4). Furthermore, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) photograph, peroxide value (PV), free fatty acid value, anisidine value, stability, particle size (PS), polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential (ZP), and encapsulation efficiency (EE) were tested on nanostructured lipid carrier squalene-loaded (NLC-s) and control samples within a storage time of 28 days. These NLC-s were prepared by ultrasonication time of 24.8 minutes, amplitude of 80, and temperature of 43.7°C. The characteristics of the NLC-s were evaluated before and after storage for 28 days at room temperature resulted in particle size (nm) of 38.6 and 40.3, PDI of 0.282 and 0.213, zeta potential (mV) of -34.1 and -34.8, and EE of (%) 85.69 and 84.04, respectively. The empty NLC had particle size (nm) of 37.4 and 38.5, PDI of 0.240 and 0.276, and zeta potential (mV) of -41.5 and -32.9.