Preparation of microcapsule for citriodiol controled release

The purpose of the research was the preparation of environmentally friendly ethyl cellulose microparticles encapsulating citriodiol as model volatile compound. Microcapsules were synthesized by homogenizing the organic solution (ethyl cellulose, ethyl acetate, citriodiol) and aqueous solution with surfactant. The resulting microcapsules were characterized by the determination of the polydispersity index, the particle size distribution, the zeta potential and microscopic observations. The size of the resulting microcapsules strongly depended on the method of stirring while adding the organic solution into the aqueous solution. It was found that the microcapsules must be prepared using homogenizer in order to gain uniform shapes. The polydispersity index determination confirmed that homogenization enables midrange monodispersed sample. If magnetic stirrer was used the microcapsules’ size distribution was broader. The zeta potential measured around - 40 mV confirmed stable microcapsules. The ATR FTIR spectra of citriodiol, ethyl cellulose and the resulting micro capsules were also studied. As well as by microscopic measurements the presence of the active component captured inside the microcapsules was confirmed. In the future work the appropriate control method of the citriodiol release from microcapsules has to be provided