Encapsulation of α-Lipoic Acid in Halloysite Nanotubes.

A nanocomposite material based on halloysite and α-lipoic acid was studied. The kinetics of the degradation process of α-lipoic acid under the influence of ultraviolet radiation and thermal stress in its native state and in the composition of a halloysite-based nanocomposite were studied. The concentration of undegraded α-lipoic acid and the effect of the nanocomposite composition were determined by the HPLC method. It has been shown that adding α-lipoic acid to halloysite using a vacuum method allows for an increase in its resistance toward UV light of 84.4%, and the thermal resistance was also significantly improved. The composite based on halloysite and α-lipoic acid can be used to improve the resistance to photodegradation of pharmaceutical drugs or sunscreen cosmetics because this strategy preserves the biological active properties and shelf life of the α-lipoic acid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]