Table 2.

Methods of liposome preparation and the resulting product. Partly from Lasic and Barenholz [39].

Method	Vesicles
Mechanical methods
Vortex or hand shaking of phospholipid dispersions	MLV
Extrusion through polycarbonate filters at low or medium pressure	OLV, LUV
Extrusion through a French press cell “Microfluidizer” technique	Mainly SUV
High-pressure homogenization	Mainly SUV
Ultrasonic irritation	SUV of minimal size
Bubbling of gas	BSV
Methods based on replacement of organic solvent(s) by aqueous media
Removal of organic solvent(s)	MLV, OLV, SUV
Use of water-immiscible solvents: ether and petroleum	MLV, OLV, LUV
Ethanol injection method	LUV
Ether infusion (solvent vaporization)	LUV, OLV, MLV
Reverse-phase evaporation
Methods based on detergent removal
Gel exclusion chromatography	SUV
“Slow” dialysis	LUV, OLV, MLV
Fast dilution	LUV, OLV
Other related techniques	MLV, OLV, LUV, SUV