Further characterization of theobroma oil-beeswax admixtures as lipid matrices for improved drug delivery systems.

There is an increasing interest in lipid based drug delivery systems due to factors such as better characterization of lipidic excipients and formulation versatility and the choice of different drug delivery systems. It is important to know the thermal characteristics, crystal habit, texture, and appearance of a new lipid matrix when determining its suitability for use in certain pharmaceutical application. It is line with this that this research was embarked upon to characterize mixtures of beeswax and theobroma oil with a view to applying their admixtures in drug delivery systems such as solid lipid nanoparticles and nanostructured lipid carriers. Admixtures of theobroma oil and beeswax were prepared to contain 25% w/w, 50% w/w, and 75% w/w of theobroma oil. The admixtures were analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), small angle X-ray diffraction (SAXD), wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), and isothermal heat conduction microcalorimetry (IMC). The melting behavior and microstructures of the lipid admixtures were monitored by polarized light microscopy (PLM). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to study the internal structures of the lipid bases. DSC traces indicated that the higher melting peaks were roughly constant for the different admixtures, but lower melting peaks significantly increased (p < 0.05). The admixture containing 25% w/w of theobroma oil possessed highest crystallinity index of 95.6%. WAXD studies indicated different reflections for the different lipid matrices. However, new interferences were detected for all the lipid matrix admixtures between 2theta = 22.0 degrees and 2theta = 25.0 degrees. The lipid matrices containing 50% w/w and 25% w/w of theobroma oil showed absence of the weak reflection characteristic of pure theobroma oil, while there was disappearance of the strong intensity reflection of beeswax in all the lipid matrix admixtures at all stages of the study. PLM micrographs revealed differences with regard to the thermal and optical behaviors depending on the composition of the matrix. The lipid matrix consisting of 75% w/w of theobroma oil showed a spherulite texture after 4 weeks of isothermal storage. Crystallization exotherms of lipid matrices containing 50% w/w and 25% w/w of theobroma oil showed change in modification after 30 min with the latter having a greater time-dependent crystallization. Generally, low non-integral Avrami exponents and growth rate constants were obtained for all the lipid matrices, with the admixture containing 25% w/w theobroma oil having the lowest Avrami exponent and growth rate constant. Based on the results obtained, admixtures containing 50% w/w and 75% w/w of theobroma oil could be applied in the formulation of solid lipid nanoparticles and nanostructured lipid carriers as these lipid matrices possessed crystal characteristics that favour such drug delivery systems.