In the present study, Nanoemulsions of neem oil and pine oil using a binary surfactant system were prepared and tested their antibacterial properties. A polysorbate-type nonionic surfactant and alcohol ethoxylatesurfactant (Galaxy MW-259) were used in different proportions to obtain stable nanoemulsions at the lowest possible droplet size. The emulsification process variables such as ratio of alcohol ethoxylatesurfactant to polysorbate-type nonionic surfactant, surfactant concentration, ratio of Neem oil to pine oil, oil weight fraction and sonication time were studied. The optimal variables include the ratio of alcohol ethoxylatesurfactant to polysorbate-type non-ionic surfactant of 80:20, surfactant concentration of 4%, ratio of Neem oil to pine oil of 80:20, oil weight fraction of 20% and 20 min of sonication time at 40% of the applied power. Nano-emulsions were found to be very stable with emulsion droplet size around 25-30 nm. The traditional method and probe sonicator methods are used for the preparation of oil in water Nano-emulsion of Neem oil, pine oil, a non-ionic binary surfactant system is used as an emulsifier. This newly developed nanoemulsion provides better antimicrobial, anti-bacterial and anti-mosquito repellent properties into the treated fabrics.
