Abstract:

A review. Nonlamellar lipid-based liq. cryst. structures, such as cubic, hexagonal, and sponge phases, have potential as delivery systems in pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic applications. This is due to the space-dividing nature of these phases, which features mono- or bicontinuous networks of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic domains. To utilize these nonlamellar liq. cryst. structures as delivery vehicles, it is crucial to understand how they interact with and respond to different types of interfaces. The progress in the area of liq. cryst. lipid-based nanoparticles opens up new possibilities for prepn. of well-defined surface films with well-defined nanostructure. Apart from the relevance to drug delivery, such studies create opportunities for new applications for functionalized and tunable surface coatings as well. This review will focus on recent progress in the formation of nonlamellar dispersion and its interfacial properties at the solid-liq. and biol. relevant interfaces. Various exptl. techniques on the study of interfacial interactions of these cryst. structures will be discussed. [on SciFinder(R)]