Release of Thyme Oil from Polylactide Microcapsules

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2011

Authors

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

Journal

Title: Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research

Vol. 50

Pages: 13752-13761

ISSN: 0888-5885

Publisher: American Chemical Society

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 20 Citations

Scopus - 30 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Engineering and technology > Chemical engineering

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-002-HNG

DOI: 10.1021/ie200791r

Abstract (EN): Microencapsulation reveals numerous advantages over conventional applications of flavors or fragrances. Thus, the goal of this work was to study the release rate of thyme oil through the polylactide (FLA) microcapsules prepared by coacervation. Microcapsules have spherical shape and a mean particle size of 36 mu m. The results show that the release of thymol is faster in the first hour and remains almost constant in the next days. Moreover, it was observed that the release of the polar compounds of thyme oil is faster than the apolar ones. The diffusion coefficient in the first hour of release was 1.39 x 10(-15) m(2)/s for thymol and 5.21 x 10(-17) m(2)/s for p-cymene. For a period of 5 days, diffusion coefficients of 3.81 x 10(-17) m(2)/s for thymol and 1.43 x 10(-18) m(2)/s for cymene were determined. The diffusion of thyme oil from the PLA cross-linked membrane was dependent on the microcapsules morphological characteristics.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 10