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The development of nanoscale emulsions containing high concentration of vegetable oil and low concentration of surfactant is considered challenging in conventional low-energy processes such as the Phase Inversion Temperature (PIT) and Phase Inversion Composition (PIC) methods. For the first time, a stable 20–30 nm oil-in-water nanoemulsion, containing 40.0% (w/w) olive oil was obtained with 2.0% (w/w) single hydrophilic surfactant, applying D-Phase Emulsification (DPE) process in combination with the Box-Behnken statistical design. The preparation of control samples using the PIT and PIC methods resulted in the absence of emulsion formation under the same composition and conditions followed by the DPE process. As a variable influencing the mean particle size of the nanoemulsion in this specific process, the polyol was confirmed to be crucial as the fourth component. An isotropic phase was revealed in place of a liquid crystalline structure or conventional microemulsion phase, enabling easy dispersion of the high oil content in the oil-in-surfactant intermediate phase, during this process. The presence of an initial isotropic phase indicated that there is no need for a strict adjustment of the hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB), nor of the initial water-in-oil phase as in conventional low-energy methods. The results obtained in the present study confirmed the unique feature of the DPE process, overcoming the limitation of conventional low energy methods, for the development of nanoemulsions with high vegetable oil content as a drug delivery system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dogwood fruits are a valuable source of active ingredients, such as phenolic compounds, vitamin C, iridoids, flavonoids and anthocyanins. Plant extracts and substances derived from latin Cornus mas L. exhibit not only strong antibacterial but also antioxidant and tonicity properties, effectively preventing the development of inflammation in living organisms. In the present study, we attempted to obtain the innovative, multi-functional plant extract from the fruit of dogwood ( Cornus mas L.). During the extraction process a mixture of water, glycerol, and vegetable oil were used as an extractant. The usage of such mixtures of solvents enabled us to extract a variety of active substances, soluble in both water and oils. The obtained extracts were analyzed for their physicochemical and biochemical properties, in order to apply the extract in a body nutrient lotion. The results clearly showed that such extract could be an innovative and multi-functional raw material used in cosmetics industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adhesion-promoting substances (primers) play an important role in the durability of UV-curable nail varnishes on human toe and finger nail plates. The efficacy of these substances regarding the adhesion that exists between the UV nail coating and the substratum depends on the type of primer and its method of application. In the current study, we used non-acid and acid-based primers as additives in the coating composition and as individual layers applied directly onto the substrate. Adhesion tests were performed using organoleptic, dynamic and “pull-off” methods and using different substrates. The application of adhesion promoters was found to increase the level of adhesion between the varnish formulation and substrate. The best adhesion was obtained when the primer was applied as a separate layer prior to application of the coating. To the best of our knowledge, this work is the first systematic study comparing the effect of using primers with UV-curable nail varnishes on the adhesion of the polymer to the nail plate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate the stability of cosmetic formulations containing botanical extracts of Açai, Chamomile and Green Tea, promising adjuvants in cosmetic preparations. The extracts were previously submitted to photostability and antioxidant activity studies. Antioxidant activity was determined by chemiluminescence and the total phenolic content by the Folin–Ciocalteu method. Photostability of the extracts was also determined in the formulations after these have been developed. Experimental formulations were prepared containing extracts of Açai, Chamomile and Green Tea and submitted to accelerated stability studies, determination of rheological properties and to sensorial analysis. Results showed that all extracts had a potential antioxidant effect, Green Tea being the most promising one. It had the highest total phenolic content, which may explain the difference observed. The formulation containing Green Tea extract also showed the best performance in sensorial analysis. It is concluded that all extracts seem to have promising properties for use in cosmetic formulations. Green Tea extract, however, had a significant performance in all studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]