Microemulsions carrying antioxidants

A process of loading a microemulsion with an antioxidant, the process comprising:

• mixing a plant-based antioxidant with water, thus producing an aqueous phase;
• mixing a non-polar solvent with (i) at least one surfactant, (ii) mono/diglycerides from medium chain triglycerides, (iii) ascorbic acid, and (iv) mixed tocopherols, thus producing a non-polar phase;
• and
• mixing the aqueous phase with the non-polar phase, thus producing the microemulsion;
• wherein the plant-based antioxidant is selected from the group consisting of green tea extract, mint extract, rosemary, apple, acerola, olive, curcumin, phenolic acids, phenolic diterpenes, flavonoids, volatile oils, limonene, and combinations of any thereof;
• wherein the at least one surfactant includes lecithin,
• wherein the ascorbic acid is present in the microemulsion in a range between 2 and 10 percent by weight, and
• wherein a weight ratio of the mixed tocopherols to the lecithin in the microemulsion is within a range between 1:4 and 1:1.