REVIEW OF METHODS FOR SIZE AND MORPHOLOGY DETERMINATION OF VESICLES IN NIOSOME DISPERSION

The paper provides comparative analysis of direct and indirect methods for assessing the size and morphological characteristics of niosome dispersions. Niosome sizes vary over a wide range: from 20 nm to 10 μm and more. The vesicle shape can also vary from perfectly spherical to elliptical and complexly curved in the case of aggregation. The size and shape of large particles with a diameter greater than 1 μm can be assessed by light microscopy. To study smaller vesicles, about 0.1–0.5 μm, it is advisable to use the technique of dynamic light scattering. Photometric method is reasonable to be used for an indirect assessment of the size of niosome vesicles in the range of 40–130 nm. For surface morphology study of the smallest niosomes, the method of scanning electron microscopy seems to be optimal.