Microcapsules with Essential Oil and Extracts Prepared by Spray-Drying

Abstract

Introduction. Essential oil and extracts consist of volatile compounds which are labile [1,2]. The effectiveness and biological effect of the products are lost after the active compounds evaporate. A few methods are used to protect volatile compounds, for example, microencapsulation [3]. The shell of microcapsules protects compounds from oxidation, temperature, and moisture influence [4]. In this study, nutmeg essential oil, red clover, and licorice extracts were used and microcapsules with sodium alginate were prepared. The aim of the work. To produce microcapsules by the spray-drying method and to evaluate the yield and moisture. Materials and methods. Nutmeg essential oil was prepared by hydrodistillation. Additionally, red clover and licorice extracts were prepared by ultrasound-assisted extraction. Microcapsules with essential oil (3% concentration in the emulsion) and extracts (red clover 5%, licorice 2%) were prepared by using spray-drying (inlet 180°C, outlet 111°C, aspirator 100%, pump 15%, feed flow 30). Maltodextrin (0%, 10%, and 20%) was used as an excipient for the microcapsules carrier, sodium alginate (1.5, 2.0, and 3 %) was used as shell material and distilled water (67-88.5%) was used as a solvent. Physical parameters (compressibility, moisture, and yield) of 9 samples of microcapsules were evaluated. Results. Spray-drying powder yield was from 15.79±3.08 to 48.57±7.53%, the largest amount was of the microcapsules with 20% of maltodextrin and 1.5% of sodium alginate, the lowest – 0% of maltodextrin and 1.5% sodium alginate. The highest parameter of moisture (over 23%) was evaluated in 3 samples. The sample containing 20% maltodextrin and 1.5% sodium alginate had the lowest moisture content (8.16±1.63%). Also, this sample had the best properties of powder flow. Conclusions. Microcapsules with the highest content of maltodextrin and the lowest amount of sodium alginate had the best properties during the study.