Abstract
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Tea tree oil (TTO), derived from Melaleuca alternifolia, exhibits antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, its effectiveness is limited due to its susceptibility to oxidation, volatility, and thermolability. In pharmaceutical applications, nanoencapsulation technology is used to enhance the stability of active substances. Among these, lipid-based colloidal delivery systems, including nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs), have gained considerable attention. The aim of this study was to develop TTO-loaded NLCs to improve the stability and efficacy of TTO and reduce its volatility. TTO was obtained from a pharmacy and subsequently analyzed by GC-MS/FID. TTO-loaded NLCs were prepared via hot high-shear homogenization followed by probe sonication. Four formulations were prepared using Compritol 888 ATO as the solid lipid, TTO as the liquid lipid, and different surfactants, namely Tween 20, Tween 80, Span 20, and Span 60. The NLCs were characterized in terms of particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), and zeta potential. The formulation containing Tween 20 exhibited the smallest particle size (200.80 ± 3.82 nm) and a relatively low PDI (0.189 ± 0.007), indicating a more uniform particle distribution. The measured zeta potential for this formulation was −34.8 ± 1.1 mV, indicating good colloidal stability. Accordingly, Tween 20 was identified as the most suitable surfactant for TTO-loaded NLCs in this study.
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