Liposomes are small lipid vesicles constructed from a phospholipid bilayer. Due to the amphiphilic nature of phospholipid molecules, they can incorporate both hydrophilic and hydrophobic substances. Targeted delivery, biocompatibility, controlled release of active ingredients, and protection against degradation represent the main advantages for the use and development of novel liposomal formulations. The method of liposome preparation and interactions between phospholipids and incorporated substances both influence the properties of liposome mixtures. In this thesis, we prepared mixtures of soy lecithin, water, glycerol, and chia seed oil with dissolved vitamin D3 in a simple way without the use of harmful organic solvents. We characterized the liposomal mixtures using light microscopy, dynamic light scattering, interferometric light microscopy, and ultraviolet spectroscopy, and monitored changes over a two-month period. We demonstrated the formation of liposomes in all prepared mixtures using light microscopy. Particle size and concentration, as well as sample homogeneity, depended on the sequence of added ingredients in the liposome mixture, and the characteristics changed over time. Differences were observed in the degree of fatty acid oxidation, which we monitored by measuring the absorbance of light at 233 nm. In the mixture where vitamin D3 dissolved in chia seed oil was added at the beginning of preparation, particle size and polydispersity index decreased over time, while the degree of oxidation remained comparable to the basic mixture. Conversely, in the mixture where vitamin D3 dissolved in chia seed oil was added subsequently, the degree of oxidation increased significantly after eight weeks, while other parameters remained relatively constant throughout the measurement period. After eight weeks, both samples with vitamin D3 dissolved in chia seed oil contained vesicles that were smaller in size compared to the basic mixture of lecithin, water, and glycerol. Further research in this field could deepen our understanding of how changes in the properties of liposomal formulations affect biological availability of incorporated compounds (e.g. vitamin D3) and their therapeutic efficacy.
|
