The present study aimed to investigate the physical stability in terms of (droplet size, pH, and ionic strength) and chemical stability in terms of (retention) of D-limonene (LM) in the nanoemulsions after emulsification as well as after storing them for 30 days under different temperatures (5 °C, 25 °C, and 50 °C). LM is a cyclic monoterpene and a major component extracted from citrus fruits. The modification of disperse phase with soybean oil (SB) and a nonionic emulsifier (Tween 80) was adequate to prepare stable LM-loaded nanoemulsions. LM blended with SB-loaded nanoemulsions were stable against droplet growth over pH (3-9) and ionic strength (0-500 mM NaCl). Regarding long-term storage, the prepared nanoemulsions demonstrated excellent physical stability with droplet size ranging from 120-130 nm during 30 days of storage at both 5 °C and 25 °C; however, oiling off started in the emulsions, which were stored at 50 °C from day 10. On the other hand, the retention of LM in the emulsions was significantly impacted by storage temperature. Nanoemulsions stored at 5 °C had the highest retention of 91%, while nanoemulsions stored at 25 °C had the lowest retention of 82%.
Keywords: D-limonene; O/W emulsion; environmental stress; retention; storage stability; triglycerides.