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Stabilization and Sustained Release of Fragrances Using Silk-PEG Microspheres
Jianbing Wu1,2, Wenjun Guo1, Yongfeng Wang1
1National Engineering Laboratory for Modern Silk, College of Textile and Clothing Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, People's Republic of China.
ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering
|May 5, 2023
Summary
Silk fibroin (SF) microspheres effectively encapsulate fragrances, offering enhanced stability and controlled release. This sustainable method improves fragrance longevity in textiles and other products.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biotechnology
- Textile Chemistry
Background:
- Fragrances are volatile compounds requiring stabilization for applications in food, textiles, and consumer goods.
- Encapsulation using sustainable natural materials is increasingly sought to minimize environmental impact.
- Silk fibroin (SF) presents a promising natural matrix for fragrance encapsulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the encapsulation of fragrances within silk fibroin (SF) microspheres (Fr-SFMSs).
- To evaluate the properties and performance of SF-based fragrance delivery systems.
- To explore the potential applications of Fr-SFMSs in various industries.
Main Methods:
- Preparation of fragrance-loaded silk fibroin microspheres (Fr-SFMSs) using emulsions and polyethylene glycol.
- Evaluation of fragrance binding affinity, microsphere formation, and loading capacity for eight different fragrances.
- Characterization of citral-SFMSs for thermal stability, shelf life, and release kinetics.
- Assessment of Fr-SFMS performance on cotton fabrics, including wash durability and fragrance release duration.
Main Results:
- Citral, beta-ionone, and eugenol exhibited high binding affinity to SF, yielding uniform microspheres with 10-30% fragrance loading.
- Citral-SFMSs demonstrated excellent thermal stability (onset of weight loss at 255 °C) and shelf life (>60 days at 37 °C).
- Sustained release of citral from SF-MSs was observed, with ~30% remaining after 24h at 60 °C.
- Treated cotton fabrics retained ~80% of fragrance after one wash, with significantly prolonged release compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- Silk fibroin microspheres provide an effective and sustainable method for fragrance encapsulation and controlled release.
- The developed Fr-SFMSs exhibit favorable stability, loading capacity, and release profiles.
- This technology holds significant potential for applications in textile finishing, cosmetics, and the food industry.
