Russian Researchers Create Self-Regulating Nanodosing System for Thyme Extract, With Applications in Medicine and Food

Scientists in Russia have devised a groundbreaking technique to transform thyme extract into stable, precise nanodoses—overcoming decades-old challenges that limited its medical and culinary potential.

Thyme extract contains health-promoting compounds like thymol and carvacrol but faces challenges with evaporation and irritation. Researchers developed a microfluidic encapsulation method using gelatin, sodium alginate, and oil to create stable nanodoses.

The process involves forming microdroplets through controlled flow rates of aqueous and oil phases, with gelatin and sodium alginate forming a protective matrix around the active compounds.

Maxim Piskunov said:

"The system tends to be self-regulating in order to deliver a relatively consistent dose, which is valuable for drug delivery."

Piskunov further explained:

"Changing and adjusting the diameter of the microdroplets... is only possible by varying the oil phase flow rate."

The method's adaptability was highlighted by Piskunov, who noted:

"We believe that this method can be used to encapsulate various aqueous extracts."

The study, published in Physics of Fluids by AIP Publishing (DOI: 10.1063/5.0303637), was conducted by a team including Maxim Piskunov, Alexandra Piskunova, Alexander Ashikhmin, Sofia Kuimova, Yuliya Petrova, and Elena Bulatova.

While the research team reported no significant limitations identified in their study, they emphasized the method remains in early development stages requiring pharmaceutical refinement before clinical application.

Preliminary findings suggest potential applications in food industry processes and compatibility with AI for real-time monitoring. However, no independent expert commentary was included in the source material.

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