Surface, rheopexy, digestive stability and toxicity of olive oil emulsions stabilized by chitin nanocrystals for vitamin D3 delivery.

Pickering emulsions are of interest in medicament transport systems. The properties of emulsions are influenced by the type of oil and the surface structure of nanoparticles-stabilizers. The process of formation of o/w emulsions of olive oil stabilized by chitin nanocrystals was investigated, their stability under the influence of physical factors, rheological characteristics, acute toxicity after oral administration, stability under the conditions of a model of the gastrointestinal tract, and their potential for oral transport of vitamin D3 were analyzed. Physically stable emulsions were obtained at a stabilizer concentration of 3.6 g/l. The addition of electrolyte leads to a substantial reduction in the average size of microdroplets. The resulting emulsions have rheopexy properties and the rheopexy index increases at 37 °C. Emulsions are classified as non-toxic when taken orally, physically stable in the upper digestive system, and capable of efficiently transporting vitamin D3 with a full release in the small intestine.