Langmuir, Vol.26, No.5, 3648-3653, 2010
Solubilization of Vitamin E into H-II LLC Mesophase in the Presence and in the Absence of Vitamin C
The synergistic solubilization of two major hydrophilic (vitamin C, ascorbic acid, AA) and lipophilic (vitamin E, D-alpha-tocopherol, VE) antioxidants within reverse hexagonal (H-II) mesophases is reported. The HII mesophases are composed of monoolein (GMO)/VE/AA/water. A wide range of VE concentration was examined (on the expense of GMO concentrations) while the AA and water concentrations remained constant (4 and 12.5 wt % respectively) in order to expand the H-II, mesophase. SAXS and DSC combined with ATR-FTIR techniques Were utilized to study the interactions between each solubilizate and the H-II, component that enabled the synergistic accommodation of the hydrophilic and hydrophobic molecules. It was revealed that up to 27 wt % VE solubilized within the H-II, mesophase. This hydrophobic additive localized at the lipophilic GMO tail region solvating the surfactant tails, thereby enabling the formation of the H-II structure. As a result, the lattice parameter and the melting point of the hydrophobic tails decreased. Above 27 wt % VE (up to 33 wt %), once the GMO lipophilic region was homogenously solvated, additional VE molecules located closer to the interface, At this range of concentrations, new hydrogen bonds between O-H groups of VE and O-H groups of GMO were formed. Once 3-5 wt %, VE was introduced, the H-II structure transformed to face-centered reverse micellar cubic phase (Fd3m. Q(227)).