Phosphatidylserine (PS) is a vital phospholipid involved in brain health, memory, and cellular communication. Despite its health benefits, bulk phosphatidylserine presents challenges in formulation due to its poor water solubility and sensitivity to oxidation[6]. However, Medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil is a popular carrier oil derived mainly from coconut or palm kernel oil, valued for its good solubility, stability, and digestibility[1]. This raises an important question for formulators: Can MCT oil emulsify bulk phosphatidylserine?
The Simple Answer
MCT oil itself cannot act as an emulsifier-it lacks the amphiphilic structure required to bridge oil and water. However, MCT oil can serve as an excellent lipid carrier for phosphatidylserine, enabling it to be emulsified when combined with the proper emulsifiers. Thus, MCT oil plays a supportive but essential role in emulsified bulk phosphatidylserine formulations[2][6].
Why Emulsify Phosphatidylserine?
Phosphatidylserine is naturally lipophilic, meaning it dissolves well in fats but poorly in water. This characteristic limits its application in aqueous systems such as beverages, syrups, and other hydrophilic formulations.
Emulsification-a process where oil is dispersed into water in the presence of emulsifiers-can help[4]:
●Improve PS dispersion in liquids
●Enhance absorption and bioavailability
●Increase product shelf life and stability
●Expand the range of product formats (e.g., drinks, gels, emulsified capsules)
By forming oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions, formulators can embed bulk phosphatidylserine in tiny oil droplets suspended in water, increasing its surface area and improving its interaction with digestive enzymes[3].
What is MCT Oil?
MCT oil is composed of medium-chain fatty acids-primarily caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acids. Compared with long-chain triglycerides (LCTs), MCTs offer several advantages:
●Rapid Absorption:
MCTs are absorbed directly into the portal vein and transported to the liver, bypassing complex digestive steps.
●Enhanced Solubility for Actives:
MCT oil is an excellent solvent for lipophilic nutrients like PS.
●Stability:
MCT oil has a high oxidative stability, reducing the risk of rancidity in oil-based formulations[2][5].
●Neutral Taste & Odor:
Its mild sensory profile makes it suitable for functional beverages and supplements.
How Does MCT Oil Emulsify Phosphatidylserine?
Although medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil cannot independently form emulsions, it plays a key role in the emulsification of phosphatidylserine (PS) by serving as the oil phase in oil-in-water systems[1][3]. The process typically involves four key steps that help transform fat-soluble PS into a form suitable for liquid delivery or further drying into powder.
•Dissolving PS in MCT Oil
The first step is to dissolve or disperse PS-usually in bulk phosphatidylserine powder or granule form-into MCT oil. MCT oil acts as a lipid carrier, allowing PS to be evenly distributed in the oil phase. In some cases, pre-treatment like microencapsulation may be used to enhance solubility and dispersion efficiency.
•Adding Emulsifiers
To convert the oil mixture into a stable emulsion, food-grade emulsifiers such as soy lecithin, mono- and diglycerides, or polysorbate 80 are added[4]. These amphiphilic molecules position themselves at the oil-water interface, reducing surface tension and helping the two immiscible phases form a uniform blend.
•Homogenization or High-Shear Mixing
The PS–MCT oil phase is then introduced into an aqueous phase under high-speed mixing or homogenization. This mechanical action breaks the oil into microscopic droplets that remain suspended in the water, creating a stable oil-in-water emulsion[3].
•Final Stabilization
To further improve the emulsion's stability, thickeners like xanthan gum, co-emulsifiers, or antioxidants such as vitamin E may be incorporated. These additional components help enhance viscosity, prevent phase separation, and protect the PS from oxidative degradation during storage.
Scientific Evidence Supporting PS-MCT Emulsions
Recent studies support the use of MCT oil as an oil phase in bulk phosphatidylserine emulsions:
•Zhang et al. (2020) found that PS emulsions using MCT oil and Tween 80 achieved smaller droplet sizes (~175 nm) and higher stability compared to long-chain triglycerides. MCT-based systems showed lower viscosity and better shear-thinning behavior, making them ideal for liquid applications (Zhang et al., ACS Omega, 2020).
•EP1663157B1. Stabilized Phosphatidylserine Formulations. European Patent Office.
•European Patent EP1663157B1 describes stable formulations of PS in MCT oil, with shelf life up to two years when protected from moisture and light.
•U.S. Patent US20030215560A1 outlines methods of delivering bioactive phospholipids in oil-based dispersions, citing MCT oil as an optimal carrier.
Can PS be emulsified with MCT oil and then dried at a low temperature?
During actual sales, a customer typically raises the question: Can bulk phosphatidylserine (PS) be emulsified with MCT oil and then prepared by low-temperature drying?
As a professional raw material phosphatidylserine supplier, Guanjie Biotech provides an in-depth answer to this question. First, PS is a fat-soluble phospholipid with good lipophilicity, and can indeed be mixed with MCT oil (medium-chain triglycerides) to form an emulsion[1]. However, MCT oil alone is not sufficient to form a stable emulsion[6]. A food-grade emulsifier (such as lecithin, monoglycerides, etc.) and high-shear dispersion equipment are required to emulsify the PS-MCT oil system into a uniform water-in-oil emulsion.
After emulsification, vacuum low-temperature drying can be used for dehydration to produce a bulk phosphatidylserine. The advantages of low-temperature drying are: it avoids high-temperature oxidation while preserving the activity and stability of PS to the greatest extent possible, and it also converts the emulsion into a powder form that is easier to process and store. Below is our production process.
Processing Flow
This flow chart outlines the detailed production process of emulsified bulk phosphatidylserine (PS) combined with medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil. The goal is to create a stable, bioavailable formulation, ideal for use in nutritional supplements and functional foods[2].
Raw Material Preparation
The process begins with PC75% (phosphatidylcholine at 75%) as the base material. The raw material is extracted from seeds using ethanol and water as solvents, with quality controlled by HPLC-ELSD.
Expelling and Degumming
The seed oil undergoes mechanical expelling to remove impurities, followed by degumming to eliminate unwanted phospholipids.
Enzymatic Reaction
Specific enzymes and serine are added, initiating PC zymolysis. This step breaks down phosphatidylcholine into phosphatidylserine over an 8-hour enzymatic reaction period.
Purification and Crystallization
•After the enzymatic reaction:
•Mixed tocopherols are added.
•The solution undergoes centrifugal separation to remove impurities.
•Ethanol is introduced to promote crystallization.
•A second centrifugal separation is performed to isolate purified PS.
Emulsification and Homogenization
•To produce the emulsified form:
•MCT oil is added to the purified PS and dissolved.
•Demulsification and maltodextrin addition follow.
•The mixture is homogenized to ensure a uniform emulsion.
Drying and Powder Processing
•The emulsion undergoes vacuum drying at 45°C, forming a powdered bulk phosphatidylserine. Additional steps include:
•Grinding and ultrasonic vibrating screen for fine particle size.
•Cryogenic treatment to stabilize structure and prevent oxidation.
Final Testing and Packaging
•Final PS content is adjusted to 35–40% as per specification.
•Multilayer polyethylene bags are used for inner packaging, sealed inside fiber craft drums (25 kg net).
•Critical points, such as enzyme removal, solvent amount, and timing, are strictly monitored.
•The product is stored dry and protected from light and heat to maintain stability.
Guanjie Biotech uses a vacuum low-temperature drying process in actual bulk phosphatidylserine production. We control the temperature within 40°C to minimize the degradation of PS and effectively improve its bioavailability. We can develop pure phosphatidylserine products in various forms, such as liquid, powder, and granules, according to customer needs.
Therefore, PS can indeed be emulsified with MCT oil and then subjected to low-temperature drying. This technical path is of great significance for the development of PS functional products with high stability and high absorption rate. If you need customization or more information, please contact the Guanjie Biotech sales team.
MCT oil does not function as an emulsifier by itself, but it plays a critical supporting role in the emulsification of phosphatidylserine. By acting as a lipid solvent, MCT oil allows PS to be effectively incorporated into oil-in-water emulsions when used with proper emulsifying agents. This approach offers significant advantages in terms of bioavailability, digestibility, and phosphatidylserine powder bulk product flexibility. Guanjie Biotech is a bulk phosphatidylserine supplier. We can develop pure encapsulation PS 100 products in various forms, such as phosphatidylserine liquid, phosphatidylserine bulk powder, phosphatidylserine granules, etc., according to customer needs. Welcome to enquire with us at info@gybiotech.com.
References:
[1]Bach AC, Frey A, Lutz O: Clinical and experimental effects of medium-chain-triglyceride-based fat emulsions: a review. Clin Nutr 1989; 8: 223– 235
[2]Ramezani, V., Esmaeilzadeh Kenari, R., & Mortazavi, S. A. (2017). Nanoemulsion formulation to improve bioavailability of phosphatidylserine using MCT oil. Journal of Functional Foods, 36, 123–129.
[3]Yang, Y., McClements, D. J., & Xiao, H. (2013). Designing oil-in-water emulsions for enhanced delivery of bioactive lipophilic components: A review. Food Chemistry, 141(3), 1455–1466.
[4]Liu, P., & McClements, D. J. (2017). Influence of emulsifier type on lipid digestion and bioaccessibility of encapsulated nutrients. Food Chemistry, 216, 283–289.
[5]Yoshida, H., et al. (2014). Preparation and evaluation of phosphatidylserine liposomal formulations for brain targeting. Journal of Liposome Research, 24(2), 130–137.
[6]Ramezani, V., Hadian, Z., & Emam-Djomeh, Z. (2017). Nanoemulsion formulation to improve bioavailability of phosphatidylserine using MCT oil. Journal of Functional Foods, 36, 123–129.
