Subcritical Water in Antimicrobial Benzyl Isothiocyanate Nanoemulsions Preparation and Formulation: A Novel Green Approach for Enhanced Bio-Functionality and Dietary Supplements.

Benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) is mainly found in vegetable and fruit seeds with unique biological properties such as anti-cancer and antimicrobial properties. But BITC in pharmaceutical and food formulations faces various challenges, such as low water solubility, environmental instability, and heat sensitivity. This study developed a method based on subcritical water (SW) to prepare BITC nanoemulsion (NE) with desirable activities. Using xanthan and Arabic gums as stabilizers and Tween 80 (T 80) as an emulsifier, BITC NEs were prepared under SW conditions, including 120°C and 1.5 bar, for 30 min. Results indicated that BITC NE with small particle size (170 nm) and PDI (0.237) and moderate zeta potential (-20.38 mV), and high antibacterial activity (12 mm) against Staphylococcus aureus, anti-mold (36 mm), and anti-yeast (44 mm) was prepared using BITC and T 80 with amounts of 49 and 250 µL. Transmission electron microscopy indicated that the formed BITC nanodroplets (NDs) in the prepared NE had a spherical shape. Furthermore, results demonstrated that the selected NE formulation, identified through optimization of physico-chemical and antimicrobial responses, exhibited antioxidant, α-amylase inhibitory, and protein-denaturation inhibitory activities of 20.31%, 51.03%, and 98.93%, respectively. Results are the basis for further research on the latent application of BITC NE for developing functional foods and dietary supplements.