Liposomes: Not Just for Medicine

A liposome is a sphere made up of phospholipid bilayers, similar to a cell membrane. However, with a liposome, the user can determine what molecules are inside and attached to the liposome. Liposomes have many uses in pharmaceuticals and beyond.

The structure of a liposome is similar to a cell membrane and semipermeable. This makes biocompatibility easy within a human. In medicine, liposomes are used for drug delivery, diagnostics and vaccines.

Specific compounds attached to the outside of a liposome can be used to target specific areas for imaging or treatment.

Since liposomes are made of phospholipid bilayers, they are useful for hydrophilic and hydrophobic components. Liposomes are one way to make emulsions, or a hydrophobic and hydrophilic mixture. One field that uses emulsions is cosmetics. For example, including a hydrophilic ingredient in a hydrophobic lotion while reducing separation.

Another example is in the cannabis industry. The cannabis beverage market is growing, and liposomes can be used to encapsulate hydrophobic cannabinoids in a hydrophilic solution. The nanoscale of liposomes can be helpful in precise dosing and consistent uptake as well. For the same reasons, liposomes are useful for other kinds of beverages with hydrophilic and hydrophobic compounds.

Are you interested in how to make a liposome using our extrusion equipment? Let us know at [email protected]!