Review Article

Liposome Technology for Industrial Purposes

Table 2

Methods of liposome preparation and the resulting product. Partly from Lasic and Barenholz [39].

MethodVesicles

Mechanical methods
Vortex or hand shaking of phospholipid dispersionsMLV
Extrusion through polycarbonate filters at low or medium pressureOLV, LUV
Extrusion through a French press cell “Microfluidizer” techniqueMainly SUV
High-pressure homogenizationMainly SUV
Ultrasonic irritationSUV of minimal size
Bubbling of gasBSV

Methods based on replacement of organic solvent(s) by aqueous media
Removal of organic solvent(s)MLV, OLV, SUV
Use of water-immiscible solvents: ether and petroleumMLV, OLV, LUV
Ethanol injection methodLUV
Ether infusion (solvent vaporization)LUV, OLV, MLV
Reverse-phase evaporation

Methods based on detergent removal
Gel exclusion chromatographySUV
“Slow” dialysisLUV, OLV, MLV
Fast dilutionLUV, OLV
Other related techniquesMLV, OLV, LUV, SUV