Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 19, 2026
10:54
Extraction of Plant-based Capsules for Microencapsulation Applications
Published on: November 9, 2016
Microencapsulation of thyme oil by coacervation
Isabel M Martins1, Sofia N Rodrigues, Filomena Barreiro
1Laboratory of Separation and Reaction Engineering (LSRE), Associate Laboratory LSRE/LCM, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal.
Journal of Microencapsulation
|November 6, 2009
Summary
This study introduces a new coacervation method for creating polylactide (PLA) microcapsules containing thyme oil for cosmetic applications. The process yields microcapsules with desirable characteristics for enhanced product formulation.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Chemical Engineering
- Cosmetic Science
Background:
- Thyme oil is a valuable ingredient in cosmetics due to its properties.
- Encapsulation is crucial for stabilizing and delivering active ingredients like thyme oil.
- Developing efficient encapsulation methods is key for cosmetic product innovation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel coacervation process for producing polylactide (PLA) microcapsules.
- To encapsulate thyme oil within these PLA microcapsules for cosmetic use.
- To characterize the physical properties and encapsulation efficiency of the resulting microcapsules.
Main Methods:
- Dissolving polylactide (PLA) in dimethylformamide (DMF), a water-miscible solvent.
- Inducing PLA precipitation around thyme oil droplets upon contact with water.
- Analyzing microcapsule morphology, particle size distribution, and wall thickness using microscopy.
- Quantifying encapsulated thyme oil content via gas chromatography.
Main Results:
- Successfully produced PLA microcapsules containing thyme oil.
- Microcapsules exhibited a bimodal particle size distribution with a mean size of 40 micrometers.
- Microscopic analysis revealed spherical microcapsules with rough surfaces and an average wall thickness of 5 micrometers.
- Gas chromatography confirmed preferential encapsulation of apolar compounds from thyme oil.
Conclusions:
- The novel coacervation process effectively encapsulates thyme oil in PLA microcapsules.
- The microcapsules possess suitable characteristics for cosmetic applications.
- The method allows for the evaluation and quality control of encapsulated thyme oil, particularly its apolar constituents.
Related Concept Videos
01:09Colloidal precipitates
The high insolubility of some precipitates can result in an unfavorable relative supersaturation. This can lead to colloidal particles with a large surface-to-mass ratio, where adsorption is promoted. For instance, in the precipitation of silver chloride, silver ions are adsorbed on the surface of the colloidal particles, forming a primary layer. This layer attracts ions of opposite charge (such as nitrate ions), forming a diffuse secondary layer of adsorbed ions. This electric double layer...
03:22Colloids
Children at play often make suspensions such as mixtures of mud and water, flour and water, or a suspension of solid pigments in water known as tempera paint. These suspensions are heterogeneous mixtures composed of relatively large particles that are visible to the naked eye or can be seen with a magnifying glass. They are cloudy, and the suspended particles settle out after mixing. On the other hand, a solution is a homogeneous mixture in which no settling occurs and in which the dissolved...