Microemulsions have a very promising application prospect as they have many advantages over other oil-water formulations, such as high compatibility with other materials, excellent stability and shelf life, and an enhanced delivery of bioactives. In addition, microemulsions have a potential to reduce the environmental and health impact of oil-in-water emulsions due to the improved thermodynamic properties, such as surfactant properties and solubilization capacity.
Microemulsions can be used in food products and cosmetics, as they help to improve their shelf life, improve emulsion stability and maximize the bioactives delivery. For example, microemulsions can be used in salad dressings and sauces, to optimize the emulsion stability and improve their shelf life; they can be used in detergents and cleaners, as they reduce foaming and provide superior cleaning performance; they can be used in skincare and haircare products, as they enhance the delivery of bioactives and moisture retention, leading to improved cosmetic performance; and they can also be used in beverage products such as milk-based beverages, to provide improved shelf life and to improve the mouthfeel during consumption.
Furthermore, microemulsions are attractive for the development of novel drug delivery systems, as they possess better thermodynamic properties than other oil-in-water emulsions material. Microemulsions can facilitate drug delivery by protecting the active pharmaceutical ingredient from degradation and increasing its solubility, leading to improved delivery and bioavailability. Additionally, lipophilic drugs can be solubilized in the core of the micelle, thereby allowing their transport throughout the system, while hydrophilic drugs can be entrapped within the aqueous interior of the micelle. Moreover, microemulsions can be used to deliver pharmaceutical ingredients in gel form for topical applications.
In conclusion, microemulsions have significant potential for use in a variety of applications. Microemulsions have multiple advantages, such as improved thermodynamic properties, enhanced delivery of bioactives, and improved shelf life. These features make microemulsions an attractive choice for the development of novel products, such as food products, detergents and cleaners, cosmetic products and pharmaceuticals.
