Microcapsules PCL with Essential Oil Citronella

Abstract

The technology associated with the modification of the release of active ingredients is wide in various industrial sectors. Among these technologies, natural and synthetic polymers matrix systems are widely applied as the advantage of nanoparticles with controlled release and / or prolonged substance incorporated therein. In this study, preparation and characterization of Microcapsules of biodegradable polymer with high stability has been performed. The poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) containing the essential oil of Citronella (CymbopogonwinterianusJowwitt), as its bioactive compound, through an emulsion technique followed evaporation of the solvent, which consists in the precipitation of a preformed polymer, evidencing significant influence on drying methods. Using the chosen technique, it was possible to produce particles with an average size of 4 micrometers with spherical morphology and smooth surface when dehydrated under reduced pressure, do not retain these characteristics when subjected to the lyophilization process.