PRODUÇÃO E AVALIAÇÃO DE MICROCÁPSULAS DE ALGINATO CONTENDO ÓLEO ESSENCIAL DE CASCA DE LARANJA

Abstract

Essential oils belong to an important group of raw materials with several industrial applications. However, these substances are unstable, which may restrict applicability due to high volatility and high susceptibility to oxidation. Therefore, microencapsulation techniques may improve the stability of essential oils. The present study describes the production evaluates the performance of sodium alginate microcapsules containing orange peel essential oil. The production process was based on the alginate microencapsulation technology. Microcapsules were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy, thermal stability, and level of microencapsulated essential oil. The results showed that microcapsules were successfully produced, the microencapsulation technique was effective, and the synthesis process was simple. Also, it was observed that thermal and oxidative stability of essential oil improved with microencapsulation. Microcapsules released approximately 88.3% of the essential oil in 30 days.