In this work, the effects of four supercritical carbon dioxide (ScCO2) conditions potentially conductive to sterilization,
on physicochemical characteristics of a liposome formulation containing apigenin (AG) were investigated.
These conditions were: C1 (ScCO2/70 ◦C/150 bar/240 min), C2 (ScCO2/0.25% water/ 0.15% H2O2)/
0.5% acetic anhydride/38 ◦C/85 bar/45 min), C3 (ScCO2/0.08% peracetic acid/35 ◦C/104 bar/180 min) and C4
(ScCO2/ 200 ppm H2O2/40 ◦C/270 bar/90 min). The results showed changes in color and a decrease in pH value
of liposomes suspension after treatment with all tested conditions. Moreover, a decrease in liposome size with C1,
C2 and C3 and an increase in the PDI with C1 and C3 were observed. For zeta potential, a decrease with C1, and
an increase with C2 and C3 were found. Concerning the encapsulated AG, a moderate decrease, a strong decrease
and a total disappearance were noted with conditions C1, C2 and C3 respectively.

Supercritical carbon dioxide, Liposomes, Sterilization, Physicochemical Characteristics