Dispersion of bioactive substances in oils by supercritical antisolvent technology (BIOSAS process)

Abstract

This work presents the novel method named BIOSAS to formulate homogenous dispersions of bioactive substances in an oily matrix. The method is based on the carbon dioxide supercritical antisolvent (SAS) technique to produce small drops of a solution containing the bioactive substances, in the presence of a lipid substance. Ethanolic and aqueous solutions were used to solubilize complex mixtures of phytochemicals depending on the polarity of compounds. Ethanol was removed entirely from the droplets by SAS effect, and solid bioactive particles with mean diameters below 1 μm were uniformly dispersed in the lipid matrix; for aqueous solutions, the water droplets produced were high-pressure mixed with the lipid phase containing an emulsifier, and stable emulsions were obtained. BIOSAS permits particle size control and can be used to formulate lipid-based nutraceuticals or food supplements in an inert atmosphere and at low temperatures, contributing to reducing the oxidation and thermal degradation of bioactive substances and lipid matrix