Towards microcapsules with improved barrier properties

Microencapsulation is the generic term for numerous technologies, which are often used when the release rate of an active substance in a medium has to be controlled and/or contact between the active substance and the medium has to be prevented. This is achieved by wrapping the tiny particles or droplets of the active substance (capsule core) with a thin layer, or membrane, of another material (capsule shell). The permeability of the membrane determines whether, how fast and under which conditions the active material will be released and/or the components of the medium will enter the inner part of the capsule. Insofar as application is concerned, premature release of an active substance from microcapsules during storage is a very common problem. Prevention of diffusion of an active component or components of the outer medium through the capsule membrane is a complex challenge, which so far cannot be considered as solved. This review briefly covers the theoretical aspects of release kinetics from microcapsules and discusses how such parameters as capsule average size, capsule shell thickness as well as the chemical composition of active material and medium can influence the release profiles. All theoretical considerations are based on the dissolution-diffusion mechanism classically used for the explanation of diffusion trough flat membranes/films. In the second part of the manuscript it is discussed, which strategies have been used for the improvement of the barrier properties of microcapsules up to date and to which extent those strategies were successful