Cellulose nanocrystal-stabilized Pickering emulsion improved sesamolin’s physicochemical properties, stability, and anti-tyrosinase activity

This work aimed to formulate oil-in-water Pickering emulsions using carboxylated-cellulose nanocrystal (cCNC) to encapsulate sesamolin to overcome sesamolin’s poor solubility. The formulations were prepared by varying the oil/water ratio, cCNC, and sesamolin concentrations. Their droplet size, charge, morphology, stability, and an in vitro tyrosinase inhibitory activity were investigated. Sesamolin was successfully loaded at a concentration 21 times greater than that found naturally in sesame oil. The droplet size of the emulsion was a micron size (38–95 µm), with a higher oil concentration and a zeta potential between − 26 to − 36 mV. Formulation with 1%w/v of cCNC and 10%v/v of oil showed the best stability during storage under the condition studied. High-loaded-sesamolin emulsion showed a similar creaming index to an emulsion containing only sesame oil, demonstrating that high-loaded sesamolin did not decrease the stability. The most stable formulation exerted anti-tyrosinase activity 11 times higher than pure sesamolin. The Pickering emulsion successfully loaded and enhanced the solubility of sesamolin in the aqueous system. The obtained stable emulsion was compatible with the hydrophilic phase. Consequently, Cellulose-based Pickering emulsion has the potential as a sesamolin delivery system in vitro or in vivo further studies.