Bio-inspired exosome mimetics as novel nanocarriers to enhance physicochemical stability and controlled release of linalool.

Linalool, a widely used food flavoring with antioxidant activity, is limited by its volatility and poor physicochemical stability. In this study, a food-compatible exosome mimetic delivery system composed of cholesterol, ceramide, sphingomyelin, phosphatidylcholine, and phosphatidylserine was developed to improve linalool stabilization. Encapsulation conditions were optimized, achieving a maximum loading of 1% (w/w) at 150.10 ± 8.12 nm, a polydispersity index of 0.20 ± 0.01, and an encapsulation efficiency of 82.01 ± 1.50%. Physicochemical assessments demonstrated robust stability across varying pH levels, temperatures, and ionic strengths. The controlled release profile of linalool from L-EMs follows diffusion-driven kinetics consistent with the Higuchi model. The Korsmeyer-Peppas exponent (n = 0.55) revealed significant linalool-membrane interactions and anomalous transport. The antioxidant properties of the vesicles preserved linalool's radical-scavenging activity. Overall, this study demonstrates that exosome mimetics serve as simplified, food-compatible lipid carriers for stabilizing volatile bioactives, offering a promising strategy for functional food applications.