Encapsulation of roselle anthocyanins in liposomes using lyophilization monophase solution

Abstract This study aimed to optimize the encapsulation of roselle anthocyanins in liposomes using the lyophilization monophase solution method. The investigation focused on three key variables: the phosphatidylcholine to cholesterol (PC) ratio, the aqueous to lipid phase ratio, and sonication time. The optimal conditions identified were a PC ratio of 1:1, an aqueous to lipid phase ratio of 40:60, and a sonication time of 20 minutes. Under these conditions, the encapsulation efficiency achieved was 74.45%, with a Z-average size of 528.72 nm and a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.538. The morphological characteristics of the nanoliposomes were confirmed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), which revealed their uniform structure. Additionally, FTIR spectroscopy indicated successful encapsulation, showing characteristic peaks corresponding to both the anthocyanins and the lipid components, confirming that the encapsulation process did not degrade the anthocyanins. Controlled release studies demonstrated a higher release of anthocyanins in lipophilic solutions (50% ethanol) compared to hydrophilic solutions (10% ethanol), highlighting the enhanced solubility and dispersibility of the encapsulated anthocyanins. These findings suggest that liposomal encapsulation effectively improves the stability and bioavailability of roselle anthocyanins, indicating promising applications in food and pharmaceutical formulations.