Navigating nanoemulsions: A comprehensive review of formulation, characterization and applications

Nanoemulsions, which are submicron-sized emulsions with droplet sizes between 20 and 200 nm, have attracted a lot of interest in a lot of different disciplines because of their special qualities, which include increased bioavailability, stability, and large surface area. This article offers a thorough analysis of the creation, properties, and range of uses for nanoemulsions. The formulation section explores the different ways to prepare nanoemulsions, emphasizing both high-energy and low-energy methods. It also covers important aspects that affect the stability and performance of these techniques, like the composition of the oil phase, the choice of surfactant, and process parameters. The roles of several characterization techniques in determining droplet size, distribution, zeta potential, and other physicochemical parameters are addressed, including dynamic light scattering (DLS), electron microscopy, and rheology. The range of applications for nanoemulsions being investigated, including medicine, where they provide drug solubility and targeting, the food industry for better nutritional absorption and stability, the cosmetics business for improved active ingredient delivery, and the environmental sectors for their roles in pollutant clean up. The paper also discusses the field’s obstacles and opportunities going forward, highlighting the necessity of established procedures and a greater comprehension of nanoemulsion behavior in intricate biological and environmental systems. By means of this thorough investigation, the review hopes to offer a fundamental resource for practitioners and researchers that deal with nanoemulsions, encouraging creativity and useful breakthroughs in their respective domains.