The design of emulsions and their fate in the body following enteral and parenteral routes
Abstract
The approach of emulsified systems designed to enter the body is progressively shifting from empiricism to rational control. This paper reviews the literature related to the fate of oil-in-water emulsions in the body, more specifically in the gastrointestinal tract and in the blood stream. We address stability issues (coalescence and flocculation), interactions between droplets and endogenous biomolecules (chemical-bond cleaving enzymes, bio-surfactants, etc.) or organs, delivery of bioactive species and the most recent instrumentation advances. Overall, the review brings to light how colloidal oil droplets are processed in the body depending on their interfacial composition and their internal structure and/or composition.