Synopsis

Nanoparticulate vesicles in the form of niosomes were prepared via the thin-film hydration method using Span 60 or Span 83 as non-ionic surfactants, with cholesterol as a vesicular membrane stabiliser and Solutol HS-15 as a co-surfactant. The effects of surfactant type, cholesterol-to-surfactant molar ratio, and co-surfactant concentrations on antioxidants “carotenoids” entrapment efficiency (%EE), vesicle size, and polydispersity index (PDI) were investigated.

Results showed that Span 60-based formulations demonstrated superior vesicle formation, stability, and EE, particularly for β-Carotene, reaching up to 98%. In contrast, Span 83 did not form stable vesicles. The inclusion of Solutol HS-15 enhanced the encapsulation of Crocin, with 20 mol% yielding the highest EE% (81%), due to increased bilayer hydration and aqueous core expansion. Probe sonication effectively reduced vesicle size and improved PDI in most formulations, vesicle size was ranging from 170 to 520 nm. The analysis revealed higher EE% for β-Carotene than Crocin, these findings confirm that Span 60-based niosomes, particularly when optimised with cholesterol and co-surfactants, are promising nanocarriers for antioxidant delivery with a potential application in cosmetology.