Abstract
The aim of the present work was to study the encapsulation of Origanum onites L. essential oil (oregano EO) in β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) inclusion complexes (ICs), using the co-precipitation method. The formed β-CD–oregano EO ICs were characterized by diverse methods, such as Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), FT-IR spectroscopy, Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). UV-Vis spectroscopy was used for the determination of the inclusion efficacy and the study of the encapsulated oregano EO release profile. The interactions between host (β-CD) and guest (oregano EO) in the formed ICs were proven by the FT-IR, DSC, TG and NMR analyses. The ICs, which derived from different batches, presented nanoscale size (531.8 ± 7.7 nm and 450.3 ± 11.5 nm, respectively), good size dispersion (0.308 ± 0.062 and 0.484 ± 0.029, respectively) and satisfactory stability in suspension (ζ-potential = −21.5 ± 1.2 mV and −30.7 ± 1.8 mV). Inclusion efficiency reached up to 26%, whereas the oregano EO release from the ICs followed a continuous delivery profile for up to 11 days, based on in vitro experiments. The formed ICs can find diverse applications, such as in the preparation of films for active packaging of food products, in personal care products for the improvement of their properties (e.g., antioxidant, antimicrobial, etc.), as well as in insect repellent products.
Highlights
Oregano is an aromatic plant which is commonly found growing wild in the countries of the Mediterranean basin [1,2]
The aim of the present work was to study the encapsulation of Origanum onites L. essential oil in β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) inclusion complexes (ICs), using the co-precipitation method
The formed β-CD–oregano essential oil (EO) ICs were characterized by diverse methods, such as Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), FT-IR spectroscopy, Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
Summary
Oregano is an aromatic plant which is commonly found growing wild in the countries of the Mediterranean basin [1,2]. EO has attracted the attention and the interest of the researchers and the industry, gaining extensive popularity and, proliferating its fields of application [3] This occurred due to the growing social awareness and demand for safer, healthier and minimally processed products that present a more close-to-natural image, as well as respect product quality and environment [1]. It fulfils the requirements of promoting well-being and being environmentally friendly, meeting the consumers’ expectations and demands [1,2,3] These quality characteristics render it as a valuable natural resource with great potential for industrial use, finding numerous applications among others in the food and pharmaceutical industry [1,2,3].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
