Mannose-based surfactant as biofunctional nanoemulsion stabilizer

The development and implementation of new amphiphiles based on natural resources rather than petrochemical precursors is an essential requirement due to their feedstock depletion and adverse environmental impacts. In addition, the use of bio-based surfactants can provide unique characteristics and improve the properties and versatility of the colloidal systems in which they are applied, such as emulsions. Here, the emulsification properties of a synthesized biocompatible mannose-based surfactant were investigated. Its behavior was evaluated in the presence of four different natural oils (castor, sunflower, olive and soybean) as well as two different aqueous phases (pure water and phosphate-buffered saline). The results highlighted its interest as surfactant in O/W nanoemulsions for all tested oil and aqueous phases, using a low-energy preparation protocol and relatively low surfactant concentrations. Furthermore, the mannose groups present on the polar head of the surfactant and adsorbed on the surface of the emulsion droplets were shown to retain their native biological properties. The specific mannose-concanavalin A binding was observed in vitro by the designed nanoemulsions, revealing the biorecognition properties of the surfactant and its potential applicability as a nanocarrier.