Polymeric micelles as a new generation of anti-oxidant carriers

A promising strategy to immobilize a natural stabilizer in polymeric films is presented. Particularly, nevadensin (N, a natural basil flavonoid) molecules have been encapsulated in Pluronic F-127 micelles [F127, a triblock copolymer poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide)-poly(ethylene oxide)] and the obtained nanoparticles have been introduced in poly(ethylene glycol), PEG [otherwise known as poly(ethylene oxide), PEO]. In order to verify the effectiveness of the micelles as anti-oxidant carriers, PEG-based films have been subjected to artificial weathering. The encapsulation of anti-oxidant molecules allows the enhancement of N solubility in PEG, leading to advanced materials with enhanced photo-oxidative stability.