Gelatin-loaded cubosomes stabilized with hydrophobically modified quaternized cellulose nanofiber and their pH-dependent release property.

Monoolein cubic phase immobilizing hydrophobically modified gelatin (HmGel) in its water channel was prepared by a melt-hydration method. The cubic phase was micronized into cubosomes by using hydrophobically modified quaternized cellulose nanofiber (HmQCNF) as a stabilizer. The phase transition temperature of the cubic phase was about 68-70 °C. Small angle X-ray diffraction revealed that HmGel-loaded cubosome stabilized with HmCNF was a diamond type of cubic phase. HmGel-loaded cubosomes stailized with HmQCNF were dependent on the pH value in terms of the release of their payload (i.e, methylene blue) much more strongly than HmGel-loaded cubosomes stabilized with Pluronic F127.