Encapsulation of orange oil by colloidal carriers based on PCL/Pluronic F68 nanoparticles for controlled delivery

We report the effects of orange oil encapsulation on the properties of PCL/Pluronic F68-based nanoparticles obtained by the nanoprecipitation technique. Orange oil is a potential candidate as a bioactive compound for the treatment of chronic diseases due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, this essential oil is poorly soluble and highly volatile. An approach to enhance its solubility while maintaining its properties is nanoencapsulation. To this end, we prepared by the nanoprecipitation method PCL-based nanoparticles coated with Pluronic F68 and loading different concentrations of orange oil–5, 10, 15, and 20%. We characterized the nanosystems by dynamic light scattering, zeta-potential measurement, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, retention efficiency, relaxometry, antioxidant capacity, and release profile techniques. All formulations had monodispersed distributions and nanometric diameters. Besides, the orange oil exhibited a stabilizing and cryoprotective effect on the colloidal dispersions. The infrared spectroscopy analysis revealed the existence of only physical interactions between the oil and the applied matrices. The oil retention volume was higher than 69%, and its encapsulation sustained the active principle’s release for approximately 7 h. Moreover, it was possible to observe the presence of the oil in both polymeric layers of nanoparticles and the maintenance of its antioxidant activity. Therefore, the nanoencapsulation of orange oil by colloidal carriers is of interest for its therapeutic potential and its stabilizing action on colloidal carriers.