LIPOSOMES - STRUCTURES AND PRODUCTION

The general public has only recently become familiar with liposomes th rough their use in cosmetics although a wide range of applications has long been known in the scientific literature. Depending upon the pert inent application very different liposomes are required, which has led to a large number of methods for their production. This article descr ibes the principal processes: rotor/stator dispersion, the injection m ethod, dialysis, extrusion, and homogenisation. The most suitable meth ods for industrial use are rotor/stator emulsification, the injection method, extrusion, and homogenisation. Examination of commercially ava ilable liposame-containing products shows that high-value products suc h as cosmetics and pharmaceuticals predominate - commercial use of lip osomes is often limited by the sophisticated production methods and ex pensive raw materials.