Release of encapsulated citronella oil in Tween 80 solution

Abstract

Microencapsulation is a technique in which small particles are enclosed by a coating wall. Microencapsulation has been widely used in applications such as the controllable release of essential oils and improvement of the stability of the core substances and many other fields. Volatiles liquids and solids are easily damaged during long term use, due to their external environment. This leads to degradation and loss of function. In preventing this drawback, encapsulation of essential oils by embedding them into polymer wall has been introduced. In this study, citronella oil (CO) encapsulated by gelatin-chitosan was prepared by complex coacervation technique. Report on release study of encapsulated CO and its applications in floor cleaning solution is very limited. Hence, release rate and release mechanism of the microcapsules in simulated floor cleaning solution (Tween 80 solution) were investigated. Morphology of the microcapsules was determined through optical microscope. The release of CO was observed through the formation of rupture on the spherical microcapsule. The release rate of encapsulated CO increases with the increase of temperature from 25°C to 75°C. The release mechanism of the CO, based on Fick’s law was classified as following the Korsmeyer-Peppas controlled release model of super case II, whereby the release is due to wall erosion.