Microencapsulation of thyme oil by coacervation

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2009

Authors

Isabel M. Martins (Author) Other; Rodrigues, SN (Author) Other; Barreiro, F (Author) Other; Alírio Rodrigues (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Journal of Microencapsulation

Vol. 26

Pages: 667-675

ISSN: 0265-2048

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 36 Citations

Scopus - 47 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-003-R20

DOI: 10.3109/02652040802646599

Abstract (EN): The objective of this work is to develop a novel coacervation process to produce microcapsules of polylactide (PLA) to encapsulate thyme oil that will be used in cosmetics. The novelty of this approach consists of dissolving PLA in dimethylformamide (DMF) which is a good solvent for PLA but in addition has high solubility in water. Upon contact with water, the homogeneous solution of PLA in DMF promotes the precipitation of PLA around the thyme oil core. The produced microcapsules have bimodal particle size distributions in volume with a mean particle size of 40 mm. Microcapsules analysis by microscopy have confirmed the spherical shape, the rough surface and allowed the estimation of the wall thickness around 5 mm. Quantification of the encapsulated thyme oil was performed by gas chromatography and allowed to evaluate the quality of the encapsulated oil and pointed out for a preferential encapsulation of thyme oil apolar compounds.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 9