Cinnamaldehyde encapsulation within new natural wax-based nanoparticles; formation, optimization and characterization

Wax-based solid lipid nanoparticles were prepared using beeswax (BW) and propolis wax (PW) by antisolvent precipitation. Response surface methodology was applied to optimize the production condition with respect to waxes concentrations, emulsifier content (sodium caseinate and polysorbate 80) and solvent to antisolvent ratios. The formulation of wax-based nanoparticles with higher yield, lower polydispersity index and smaller particle size for each wax was used to encapsulate cinnamaldehyde (CA). The results of applying different ratios of wax: CA (1:0.25–1:3 w/w) showed that the best ratio was 1:0.25 with the smallest particle size and the highest encapsulation efficiency (EE). CA-loaded nanoparticles had spherical morphology with β’ form structure. Also, the release study confirmed a high capability of waxes to control release and desirable protection of CA. Therefore, the antisolvent precipitation is a feasible way to fabricate solid lipid nanoparticles as promising carriers for bioactive compounds with desirable properties.