Controlled Thermal Release of L-Menthol with Cellulose-Acetate-Fiber-Shelled Metal-Organic Framework

Fragrances have been widely used in many customer products to improve the sensory quality and cover flavor defects. The key to the successful application of fragrance is to realize controlled fragrance release, which relies on the use of an appropriate carrier for fragrance. An ideal fragrance carrier helps to achieve the stable storage and controlled release of fragrance. In this work, a novel composite fragrance carrier with MIL-101 (Cr) as the fragrance host and cellulose acetate fiber (CAF) as the protective shell was developed. The encapsulation effect of MIL-101 (Cr) and the protective function of the CAF shell significantly improved the storage stability of L-menthol (LM). Only 5 wt % of LM was lost after 40 days of storage at room temperature. Encapsulated LM could also be effectively released upon heating due to the thermal responsiveness of CAF. In addition, the composite carrier was highly stable with neglectable Cr leaching under different conditions. The results of this work showed that the developed composite carrier could be a promising carrier for the thermally triggered release of fragrance.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel biocompatible nanocapsules encapsulated lily fragrance

In this study, novel biocompatible nanocapsules encapsulated lily fragrance (LF-NPs) were development. And, the LF-NPs are expect to have many potential applications to our daily life, such as cosmetic decorative, food industry, antibacterial, medical industry, tobacco industry, textile industry, home life, and so on.     

Cyclodextrin-intercalated layered double hydroxides for fragrance release

In order to attain the controlled release of fragrance, the intercalation of cyclodextrins (CDs) and fragrance in layered double hydroxides (LDHs) was examined. Carboxymethyl-β-CDs (CMCDs) of various degrees of substitution as well as Mg–Al support were synthesized. CMCDs were intercalated into LDH by the reconstruction method. Powder X-ray diffraction, thermal gravimetric analyses and Fourier transform infrared indicated a successful intercalation of CMCDs into the LDH gallery. The retention capacities of the hybrid materials were investigated in aqueous phase and in gaseous solution by static headspace gas chromatography and multiple headspace extraction. The functionalization of the LDH with CMCD allowed the encapsulation of various organic guests and could prolong the fragrance release time in comparison to that from LDH without CMCD, which can be attributed to the inclusion of the fragrance compound in the CMCD cavity.     

Effect of the Amount of Polysorbate 80 and Oregano Essential Oil on the Emulsion Stability and Characterization Properties of Sodium Alginate Microcapsules

Essential oils have a high volatility that leads to evaporation and loss of their pharmacological effect when exposed to the environment. The objectives of the present work were to prepare microcapsules with oregano essential oil by extrusion using sodium alginate as a shell material and non-ionic surfactant polysorbate 80 as an emulsifier to stabilize the emulsion. The present study was aimed to evaluate the physical parameters of microcapsules and to compare the influence of the amount of emulsifier and the essential oil-to-emulsifier ratio on the capsules’ physical parameters and encapsulation efficiency; to our knowledge, the existing research had not yet revealed whether unstable emulsion affects the encapsulation efficiency of oregano essential oil. This study showed that increasing the emulsifier amount in the formulation significantly influenced encapsulation efficiency and particle size. Moreover, increasing the emulsion stability positively influenced the encapsulation efficiency. The emulsion creaming index depended on the emulsifier amount in the formulation: the highest creaming index (%) was obtained with the highest amount of polysorbate 80. However, the essential oil-to-polysorbate 80 ratio and essential oil amount did not affect the hardness of the microcapsules (p > 0.05). In conclusion, the obtained results could be promising information for production of microcapsules. Despite the fact that microencapsulation of essential oils is a promising and extremely attractive application area for the pharmaceutical industry, further basic research needs to be carried out.     

CALCULATION OF VAPOR PRESSURES FROM MODEL FRAGRANCE EMULSIONS DURING EVAPORATION

The vapor pressure data from previous publications of a model fragrance emulsion system consisting of water, an aromatic fragrance phenethyl alcohol, an aliphatic one limonene, and a nonionic surfactant Laureth 4, were used to calculate the variation in vapor pressures of both fragrances and water during free evaporation. The evaporation path in a three-dimensional four-component phase diagram was estimated from the vapor pressures.

The results showed as expected that the high note fragrance compound evaporates first followed by water and the low note one. Unexpectedly, it was found that vapor pressure of low note fragrance, phenethyl alcohol, is significantly increased during evaporation.     

Polymerization of acrylamide and methylmethacrylate at the surface of submicron polypyrrole particles

This paper presents two methods of encapsulation of polypyrrole latex particles of different sizes by an insulating polymer. The first method concerns the encapsulation by inverse emulsion polymerization of acrylamide with crosslinking agent. That method is effective for the smallest particles (about 100 nm). The second method concerns encapsulation by direct emulsion polymerization of methylmethacrylate. Inhibition of polymerization occurs if potassium persulfate is used as the initiator, whereas no inhibition is observed with 4,4′ azobis 4-cyanopentanoic acid as the initiator. These results are explained in terms of the ion-exchange capacity of conducting polymers. This second method seems to be effective for all the sizes of polypyrrole particles. These encapsulated particles have been characterized by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, quasi elastic light scattering, cyclic voltametry and electrophoresis. Cyclic voltammetry recently developed on aqueous suspensions of polypyrrole particles was revealed to be the best technique because of its simplicity and speed.     

Preparation and characterization of submicron hybrid magnetic latex particles

Micrometer magnetic hybrid particles are of great interest in biomedical field, and various morphologies have been prepared via encapsulation processes. Regarding submicron, only few processes have been investigated and the most recent one leading to highly magnetic submicron magnetic hybrid particles is based on oil in water magnetic emulsion (MES) transformation. The encapsulation of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles forming oil in water MES was investigated using different styrene/cross‐linker divinylbenzene volume ratio in the presence of potassium persulfate initiator. The encapsulation performed in this work is basically conducted by using well‐defined oil in water MES as a seed in radical emulsion polymerization. The chemical composition, morphology, iron oxide content, magnetic properties, electrokinetic properties, particle size, and size distribution of the prepared magnetic hybrid particles were examined using various techniques. The desired perfect magnetic core and polymer shell morphology were successfully obtained, and the final magnetic hybrid particles are superparamagnetic in nature and exhibit high iron oxide content (64 wt %). Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Trends in structuring edible emulsions with Pickering fat crystals

The pace of development of edible Pickering emulsions has recently soared, as interest in their potential for texture modification, calorie reduction and bioactive compound encapsulation and delivery has risen. In the broadest sense, Pickering emulsions are defined as those stabilized by interfacially-adsorbed solid particles that retard and ideally prevent emulsion coalescence and phase separation. Numerous fat-based species have been explored for their propensity to stabilize edible emulsions, including triglyceride and surfactant-based crystals and solid lipid nanoparticles. This review explores three classes of fat-based Pickering stabilizers, and proposes a microstructure-based nomenclature to delineate them: Type I (surfactant-mediated interfacial crystallization), Type II (interfacially-adsorbed nano- or microparticles) and Type III (shear-crystallized droplet encapsulation matrices). Far from simply reporting the latest findings on these modes of stabilization, challenges associated with these are also highlighted. Finally, though emphasis is placed on food emulsions, the fundamental precepts herein described are equally applicable to non-food multicomponent emulsion systems.     

Unusual, promoted release of guests from amphiphilic cross-linked polymer networks

Hyperbranched fluoropolymer-poly(ethylene glycol) (HBFP-PEG) cross-linked networks have been found to exhibit capabilities for the encapsulation of high levels of geraniol guest molecules coupled with unusually rapid release of the volatile compound. The promotion of the release of the volatile fragrance geraniol, observed as decreasing volatilization temperatures and increasing volatilization rates by thermogravimetric analyses, was found to be dependent upon the HBFP-PEG network composition, with increasing effects from decreasing wt % PEG and a maximum effect occurring at 5 wt % PEG.     

Preparation of uniform-sized PELA microspheres with high encapsulation efficiency of antigen by premix membrane emulsification

Relatively uniform-sized poly(lactide-co-ethylene glycol) (PELA) microspheres with high encapsulation efficiency were prepared rapidly by a novel method combining emulsion-solvent extraction and premix membrane emulsification. Briefly, preparation of coarse double emulsions was followed by additional premix membrane emulsification, and antigen-loaded microspheres were obtained by further solidification. Under the optimum condition, the particle size was about 1 mum and the coefficient of variation (CV) value was 18.9%. Confocal laser scanning microscope and flow cytometer analysis showed that the inner droplets were small and evenly dispersed and the antigen was loaded uniformly in each microsphere when sonication technique was occupied to prepare primary emulsion. Distribution pattern of PEG segment played important role on the properties of microspheres. Compared with triblock copolymer PLA-PEG-PLA, the diblock copolymer PLA-mPEG yielded a more stable interfacial layer at the interface of oil and water phase, and thus was more suitable to stabilize primary emulsion and protect coalescence of inner droplets and external water phase, resulting in high encapsulation efficiency (90.4%). On the other hand, solidification rate determined the time for coalescence during microspheres fabrication, and thus affected encapsulation efficiency. Taken together, improving the polymer properties and solidification rate are considered as two effective strategies to yield high encapsulation.     

Efficient Entrapment of Oxirane Ring Containing Compounds in Thermally Stable Poly(urea-formaldehyde) Polymer Shell Wall

This article aims to address the problems associated with the encapsulation of oxirane ring containing compounds in poly(urea-formaldehyde) (PUF) shell for application in self-healing composite systems. The main objectives were to produce non-agglomerated, stable microcapsules, and to control the pH drop during the encapsulation via oil-in-water emulsion polymerization. In the modified method; two stage additions of urea and formaldehyde monomers, core to shell ratio, weight percent and combination of two surfactants/emulsifiers were altered to produce the desired product. Analysis was done with optical microscope (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), FTIR, particle size analyzer, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The pH drop was confirmed by using a common epoxy resin, an epoxy functionalized polydimethylsiloxane (E-PDMS), and epoxidized palm oil (EPO) as cores. The modified oil-in-water emulsion polymerization of PUF was effective in preventing the pH drop during the encapsulation and a product stable for more than 3 months with less agglomeration was produced. The method produced microcapsules having diameters less than 100 μm at lower agitation rates. The modified method is only applicable to epoxy resin and not for compounds like amine hardeners. The use of stable microcapsules in self-healing coatings can lead towards cost reduction implied for repair and maintenance purposes.     

Surfactive water-soluble copolymers for the preparation of controlled surface nanoparticles by double emulsion/solvent evaporation

We have already shown that polylactide (PLA) nanoparticles covered with a hydrophilic polymeric layer can be prepared by simple emulsion/solvent evaporation by using amphiphilic copolymers as surfactants during the procedure. The external layer is then constituted by the hydrophilic part of the macromolecular surfactant. This kind of nanospheres is useful for the encapsulation of lipohilic molecules. The use of amphiphilic copolymers as surfactants in the preparation of PLA nanospheres with controlled surface properties, was then applied to the double emulsion/solvent evaporation procedure. The aim was to allow the encapsulation of water-soluble bioactive molecules in PLA particles with controlled surface properties. In this paper, we describe the results obtained with three different water-soluble monomethoxypolyethylene oxide (MPEO)-b-PLA diblock copolymers used as surfactants in the preparation of nanoparticles by double emulsion/solvent evaporation. After organic solvent evaporation, the obtained nanospheres were proved to be really covered by a MPEO layer whose characteristics were determined. It was firstly shown that the MPEO-covered particles did not flocculate at 25 degrees C, even in 4 M NaCl while suspensions of bare nanospheres were destabilized for a NaCl concentration as low as 0.04 M. On the other hand, the suspensions of MPEO-covered nanoparticles in 0.3 M Na2SO4 were found to be very sensitive to temperature as they flocculated at a temperature lying between 45 and 55 degrees C depending on the MPEO-b-PLA composition. This property was attributed to the fact that MPEO is a polymer with a low critical solution temperature. The concentration of MPEO at the nanoparticle surface was then calculated for the three kinds of particles, from the initial flocculation temperature, and was found to be comparable to the value determined directly.     

NETWORK ENCAPSULATION OF NANOMETER CaCO_3

The encapsulation of stearic acid coated nanometer CaCO3 by a polystyrene (PS) network via emulsion polymerization is described, where γ-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (MPS) was used as an efficient crosslinker. The important factors such as the type and amount of surfactant and initiator and the content of CaCO3 are investigated as well as the role of MPS. It has been shown that little PS was extractable with only 0.6 wt% of MPS (relative to styrene). The cationic surfactant cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) proved more effective than the anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfonate (SDS). The yield rises, particles become smaller and size distribution broadens with increased amount of CTAB. It is also found that either 2,2′-azobis(isobutyronitrile) (AIBN) or ammonium persulfate (APS) is suitable for attaining high monomer conversion. With increased amount of CaCO3, the encapsulation ratio can be varied from 17.9 to 3.6, while monomer conversion and yield decrease slightly. FT-IR spectra of the products after extraction indicate tight encapsulation between PS and CaCO3, and TEM photographs of composite particles with well-defined core-shell structure give direct evidence of encapsulation.     

Multiple emulsions for food use

Numerous investigations were done to describe the effects of different food-grade components (e.g. lipid phases, emulsifiers, electrolytes, biopolymers, sugars) on the stability of multiple emulsions (type W/O/W and O/W/O). In addition to the emulsion composition, the stability of such systems also depends heavily on the emulsion matrix, influenced by the dispersing methods used. This review highlights recently published results of research done in the preparation of such dispersed systems and in the manipulation of their emulsion stability as well as encapsulation behaviour.     

Rapid crystallization and morphological adjustment of zeolite ZSM-5 in nonionic emulsions

Zeolite ZSM-5 was synthesized for the first time in a nonionic emulsion composed of polyoxyethylated alkylphenol, butanol, cyclohexane and tetraethylammonium hydroxide (TEAOH)-containing zeolite synthesis mixture. The crystallization kinetics in the emulsion was investigated and the ZSM-5 product was characterized in detail by XRD, SEM, FT-IR, TG, N₂ adsorption and CHN analysis techniques. Compared with the conventionally hydrothermal synthesis with the same structure directing agent TEAOH, the emulsion system allows rapid crystallization of ZSM-5. The ZSM-5 product exhibits unusual agglomerated structure and possesses larger specific surface area. The FT-IR, TG results plus CHN analysis show the encapsulation of a trace of emulsion components in the emulsion ZSM-5. Control experiments show the emulsion system exerts the crystallization induction and morphological adjustment effects mainly during the aging period. The effects are tentatively attributed to the confined space domains, surfactant-water interaction as well as surfactant-growing crystals interaction existing in the emulsion.     

Encapsulation of proteins in poly(l-lactide-co-caprolactone) fibers by emulsion electrospinning

This study was aimed at investigating emulsion electrospinning to prepare biodegradable fibrous mats with encapsulation of human-nerve growth factor (NGF). One of the best methods for fabricating a bio-functional tissue engineering scaffold is to load bioactive agent into the scaffold. In this work, the feasibility of incorporating NGF into poly(l-lactide-co-caprolactone) fibers by emulsion electrospinning has been studied. The release behavior of encapsulated bovine serum albumin (BSA) was investigated. The bioactivity of NGF released from fibrous mats was verified by testing the neurite outgrowth of rat pheochromocytoma cells (PC12). Furthermore, the process of fiber forming during emulsion electrospinning was discussed. The results demonstrate that emulsion electrospun fibers can successfully encapsulate proteins and release them in a sustained manner. The bioactivity of NGF released from emulsion electrospun fibers was confirmed by PC12 bioassays.     

Preparation of hollow mesoporous silica nanorods for encapsulating and slowly releasing eugenol

Fragrances are widely used in many aspects of our lives. They cannot only make people happy, but also treat many diseases. However, excessively fast evaporation rate is one of the main obstacles to the use of spices. In this study, mesoporous silica nanorods (MSNRs) and hollow mesoporous silica nanorods (HMSNRs) were prepared to encapsulate eugenol. These two nano-fragrances were named eugenol@MSNRs and eugenol@HMSNRs, respectively. The morphologies, size, interior structures and pore performances of MSNRs and HMSNRs. Besides, the performances of encapsulation and fragrance release of eugenol@MSNRs and eugenol@HMSNRs were compared and analyzed. The results showed that eugenol@HMSNRs encapsulated more fragrance and were faster to encapsulate compared with eugenol@MSNRs. Both the release rates of eugenol from eugenol@MSNRs and eugenol@HMSNRs were slow. But the eugenol was released from eugenol@MSNRs more slowly.     

New method for fabrication of loaded micro- and nanocontainers: emulsion encapsulation by polyelectrolyte layer-by-layer deposition on the liquid core

A novel approach to the emulsion encapsulation was developed by combining the advantages of direct encapsulation of a liquid colloidal core with the accuracy and multifunctionality of layer-by-layer polyelectrolyte deposition. Experimental data obtained for the model oil-in-water emulsion confirm unambiguously the alternating PE assembly in the capsule shell as well as the maintenance of the liquid colloidal core. Two different mechanisms of capsule destruction upon interaction with the solid substrate were observed and qualitatively explained. The proposed method can be easily generalized to the preparation of oil-filled capsules in various oil/water/polyelectrolyte systems important in the field of pharmacy, medicine, and food industry.     

Preparation of hollow mesoporous silica nanorods for encapsulating and slowly releasing eugenol

Fragrances are widely used in many aspects of our lives.They cannot only make people happy,but also treat many diseases.However,excessively fast evaporation rate is one of the main obstacles to the use of spices.In this study,mesoporous silica nanorods(MSNRs) and hollow mesoporous silica nanorods(HMSNRs) were prepared to encapsulate eugenol.These two nano-fragrances were named eugenol@MSNRs and eugenol@HMSNRs,respectively.The morphologies,size,interior structures and pore performances of MSNRs a...     

Microgels for the encapsulation and stimulus-responsive release of molecules with distinct polarities

A microfluidic strategy for the encapsulation and stimulus-responsive release of molecules with distinct polarities from the interior of microgels is reported. The approach relies on (i) the generation of a primary O/W emulsion by the ultrasonication method, (ii) MF emulsification of the primary emulsion, and (iii) photopolymerization of the monomer present in the aqueous phase of the droplets, thereby transforming them into microgels. Non-polar molecules are dissolved in oil droplets embedded in the microgels. Polar molecules are physically associated with the hydrogel network. Upon heating, the microgels contract and release polar and non-polar cargo molecules. The approach paves the way for stimuli-responsive vehicles for multiple drug delivery.