Citrus Essential Oils’ Nano-emulsions: Formulation and Characterization

  • Mădălina Lorena MEDELEANU Faculty of Food Science and Technology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 40000 Cluj- Napoca, Romania
  • Anca Corina FĂRCAȘ Faculty of Food Science and Technology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 40000 Cluj- Napoca, Romania
  • Cristina COMAN Faculty of Food Science and Technology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 40000 Cluj- Napoca, Romania
  • Loredana Florina LEOPOLD Faculty of Food Science and Technology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 40000 Cluj- Napoca, Romania
  • Zorița DIACONEASA Faculty of Food Science and Technology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 40000 Cluj- Napoca, Romania
  • Esther SENDRA Instituto Universitario de Investigación e Innovación Agroalimentaria y Agroambiental (CIAGRO-UMH), Miguel Hernández University, Carretera de Beniel, Km 3.2, 03312 Orihuela, Spain
  • Aaron Angel CARBONELL PEDRO Instituto Universitario de Investigación e Innovación Agroalimentaria y Agroambiental (CIAGRO-UMH), Miguel Hernández University, Carretera de Beniel, Km 3.2, 03312 Orihuela, Spain
  • Sonia Ancuța SOCACI Faculty of Food Science and Technology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 40000 Cluj- Napoca, Romania
Keywords: Citrus essential oils; antioxidant activity; antimicrobial activity; cytotoxicity.

Abstract

The use of citrus essential oils nano-emulsions (CEO-NE) plays a crucial role in enhancing food safety. This is achieved through various mechanisms such as the enhancement of organoleptic properties, increased bioavailability of bioactive components from essential oils, controlled release of key compounds for long-term efficacy, and extension of the shelf life of food and beverages (antioxidant and antimicrobial activity). In this work, CEO-NEs, formulated with different types of citrus essential oils, Tween 80, and alcohol, were obtained by magnetic stirring combined with ultrasound method. The main component of CEO-NEs was D-limonene (31.37% bergamot-loaded nano-emulsions, 48.81 % tangerine-loaded nano-emulsions, 87.82 % orange-loaded nano- emulsions, 87.09 % grapefruit-loaded nano-emulsions, 48.53 % lemon-loaded nano-emulsions). The selected formulations demonstrated a mean droplet diameter of 47.285 nm. The nano-emulsions were stable even after 30 days of storage (except tangerine nano-emulsions). The bergamot-loaded nano-emulsion had the highest antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, while Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes seemed to be more resistant to citrus nano-emulsions.

Published
2024-11-15