Influence of Technological Factors on the Quality of Chitosan Microcapsules with Boswellia serata L. Essential Oil

Abstract

Essential oils contain many volatile compounds that are not stable and lose their pharmacological effect when exposed to the environment. The aim of this study is to protect Boswellia serrata L. essential oil from environmental factors by encapsulation and determine the influence of chitosan concentration and types (2%, 4%; medium and high molecular weights), essential oil concentration, different emulsifiers (Tween and Span), and technological factors (stirring time, launch height, drip rate) on the physical parameters, morphology, texture, and other parameters of the generated gels, emulsions, and microcapsules. For the first time, Boswellia serrata L. essential oil microcapsules with chitosan were prepared by coacervation. Hardness, consistency, stickiness, viscosity, and pH of chitosan gels were tested. Freshly obtained microcapsules were examined for moisture, hardness, resistance to compression, size, and morphology. Results show that different molecular weights and concentrations of chitosan affected gel hardness, consistency, stickiness, viscosity, mobility, and adhesion. An increase in chitosan concentration from 2% to 4% significantly changed the appearance of the microcapsules. It was found that spherical microcapsules were formed when using MMW and HMW 80/1000 chitosan. Chitosan molecular weight, concentration, essential oil concentration, and stirring time all had an impact on the hardness of the microcapsules and their resistance to compression.

Antimicrobial Powder Coatings Based on Environmentally Friendly Biocides

“…Moreover, chitosan with a relatively low molecular weight was used to modify the coatings (a viscosity of 10 cps measured for 1% solution in 1% acetic acid), while the hardness of chitosan-based materials is significantly affected by the molecular weight of a polymer. 30 Under the conditions of the coating cross-linking process, the epoxy groups derived from acrylic resin may react with the amino or hydroxyl groups of chitosan, causing its cross-linking, which increases its hardness. 31 However, the protonated nitrogen atoms in chitosan will not easily react with the epoxy groups during the cationic photopolymerization process due to their positive charge.…”

“…Addition of chitosan results in a decrease in the relative hardness compared to the reference sample based on acrylic resin, which is due to the lower hardness of chitosan compared to the cross-linked acrylic matrix. Moreover, chitosan with a relatively low molecular weight was used to modify the coatings (a viscosity of 10 cps measured for 1% solution in 1% acetic acid), while the hardness of chitosan-based materials is significantly affected by the molecular weight of a polymer …”

Preparation, Characterization, Release and Antibacterial Properties of Cinnamon Essential Oil Microcapsules

“…In recent years, many researchers have chosen natural polymer materials as wall materials. Among them, chitosan is one widely used wall material [16]. The results showed that different molecular weights and concentrations of chitosan had significant effects on the texture and appearance of microcapsules.…”