Fig. 3: Plantosomes–microcapsules with thin interior lipid layers and large water-filled cavities.

a Bright field image prior to chloroform evaporation. A mix of CNF/pectin-stabilized chloroform/lipid droplets devoid of water droplets or with varying sizes of water droplets, some of which were very large and filled out a large volume of the inner core (plantosomes). The lipid phase consisted of OA, POPE, and POPC. b After chloroform evaporation, the final population consisted of capsules with a similar composition as in a. Black and white arrows point to plantosomes and microcapsules devoid of water in the interior, respectively. Histograms: the size distribution of plantosomes prior (n = 356) and after chloroform evaporation (n = 218). Data derived from four experiments and images in a and b are representative images in these experiments. The average diameters and s.d. are reported c POM (bright field) image showing the organization of lipids in a plantosome. d CLSM images of plantosome and microcapsules showing the interior water parts stained with SR-101 (0.5 mg mL⁻¹). e Combined fluorescence–transmission image of plantosomes and microcapsules containing Rh-DOPE (red) in the lipid phase. A superimposed fluorescence intensity profile is included for one plantosome. f CLSM image of a single plantosome containing Rh-DOPE (red) in the lipid phase. The lipids are organized in a couple of concentric rings in the periphery. Images in c–f are representative of three experiments. g Schematic representation of the cross-section of a plantosome. Scale bars: 20 µm a, b, and 10 µm c–f.