Sprayable compositions containing oil-in-water emulsions containing submicron hydrophobic agents and methods of use thereof

Abstract

Described are sprayable compositions containing oil-in-water emulsions. The emulsions contain (i) submicron particles of one or more hydrophobic agent(s), (ii) an emulsifier system comprising one or more nonionic surfactant(s) or emulsifier(s), and (iii) an aqueous-solute fluid. The submicron particles of one or more hydrophobic agent(s) are present in an amount from about 0.01% wt. to about 70% wt., the one or more nonionic surfactant(s) or emulsifier(s) are present in an amount from about 0.01% wt. to about 10% wt., and the aqueous-solute fluid is present in an amount from about 1.0% wt. to about 98.5% wt., all based on the total weight of the sprayable composition. The submicron particles of one or more hydrophobic agent(s) (i) have an average particle size from about 100 nm to less than about 1000 nm, (ii) have a solubility of less than about 0.1% by weight in water under standard conditions, and (iii) are 85% or more of a size within ±2.0 standard deviations, of the average particle size. The one or more nonionic surfactant(s) or emulsifier(s) comprise ester(s) of one or more fatty acid moieties with one or more hydroxyl groups of glycerol or polyglycerol having a HLB from about 3 to about 20, based on the degree of glyceryl units or ethoxyl units, or combinations thereof; and optionally ester(s) of one or more fatty acid moieties with one or more hydroxyl groups of sucrose having a HLB from about 2 to about 18, based on the degree of glyceryl units or ethoxyl units, or combinations thereof. The one or more nonionic surfactant(s) or emulsifier(s) are sufficient to stabilize the submicron particles of one or more hydrophobic agent(s) in the emulsion, at a level from about 0.05% w/w to about 70% w/w of said one or more hydrophobic agent(s), in the emulsion. Also described are processes of making the emulsions, and methods of use of the emulsions. The emulsions are useful, for example, in nutritional, pharmaceutical, biomedical, over-the-counter (OTC) drug, cosmetic, food, personal care, animal care, veterinary health, household, pet care, and other applications.