Silibinin, the major active constituent of silymarin, was known as having hepatoprotective effects against oxidative stress of the liver. However, it has poor oral bioavailability. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to prepare silibinin loaded nano sized liposomes to improve their bioavailability and to optimize the preparation method. Liposomes were prepared by ethanol injection method. An aqueous phase was prepared by adding tween 80 into phosphate buffer saline. Subsequently, a lipid phase was composed of phosphatidylcholine, cholesterol, and silibinin and they were mixed in a mass ratio of 8:1.2:1, respectively, at 60℃ and dissolved in absolute ethanol. After all compounds in the lipid phase was dissolved fully, the lipid phase was injected into an aqueous phase and was stirred at 500rpm, 60℃ for 30 min. Thereafter, ethanol in the mixture was removed by rotary evaporator and subsequently high pressure homogenizer was applied to the mixture at 120 Mpa to obtain nano size liposomes. As a result, silibinin loaded liposomes were obtained and they were circular shape which had lipid bilayer at edge of the liposome droplets and were multilamellar vesicles. Average size of the silibinin loaded liposomes were about 70-110 nm. As the faster injecting speed applied, the smaller particles size showed. In conclusion, the liposome preparation method can be used to encapsulate various functional bioactives for food application such as beverage.

• Dongjae Shin(Department of Food Science and Technology, Sejong University)
• Sanghoon Ko(Department of Food Science and Technology, Sejong University)