Liposomes and niosomes production by a supercritical CO2 assisted process for topical applications: A comparative study

A supercritical CO2 assisted process was used to perform a comparative study between liposomes and niosomes. Process operating conditions were fixed at 100 bar and 40 °C, and the produced vesicles were characterized in terms of mean diameter, size distribution, ζ-potential, and stability over time. Mean diameters of liposomes and niosomes were similar (130 ± 37 nm for liposomes and 141 ± 36 nm for niosomes) and both systems were stable after 1 month from production. Ascorbic acid (AA) was loaded in both kinds of formulation. AA encapsulation efficiency was equal to 92 % and 99 % for liposomes and niosomes, respectively, and DPPH-activity was larger than 90 % in both vesicular systems. Drug release tests revealed that AA was released in 120 min and 240 min from liposomes and niosomes, respectively, due to a different compactness of the vesicle bilayer.