Formulation and characterization of nanostructured lipid carrier encapsulate lemongrass oil using ultrasonication technique

Abstract

Lemongrass with scientific name Cymbopogon citratrus was widely found in tropical country. The aroma scent released by the lemongrass able to relieve anxiety and rejuvenate us. Lemongrass oil is suitable to use as one of the car freshener ingredient. However, the oil is easily evaporating when expose to high temperature environment. In order to preserve the fragrance release, the objective of this study is to formulate the nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) encapsulated lemongrass oil using the ultrasonication technique. The characterization of the NLC-Lemongrass were particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, efficiency of the loading and the release rate. The NLC-Lemongrass oil formulation had an average mean particle size of 43.86 nm, PDI of 0.28, zeta potential -42.9 mV and efficiency of the loading 82.13 %, respectively. In addition, after 25 d, the component of the lemongrass oil inside the NLC able to remain at 53.24 %. Therefore, the NLC was successfully encapsulate the lemongrass oil and prolong the aroma release at high temperature environment.