LEMONGRASS (Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Stapf) ESSENTIAL OIL ENCAPSULATION BY FREEZE-DRYING

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of different encapsulating agents (gum arabic (GA), maltodextrin (MD) and/or xanthan gum (XG) and two different freezing methods (slow and fast)) on the encapsulating efficiency of Cymbopogon citratus essential oil and on its release during storage. Retention of α− and β−citral, β−myrcene and linalool were determined by Gas Chromatography Mass Spectra (GC MS). Release of the encapsulated compounds was determined at 76% relative humidity and 30°C. The highest retention obtained was 78±9% for β−citral, 100±16% for α−citral, 81.6±5.8% for β−myrcene and 39.7±2.3% for linalool with the slow tested freezing protocol and a mixture of 50% GA, 40% MD, and 10% XG (volume). Kinetic release during storage was exponential and adequately fitted with Avrami´s model. Lemongrass essential oil can be encapsulated by freeze-drying using a mixture of gum arabic, maltodextrin and xanthan gum with a high retention of volatile compounds by using a slow freezing protocol. Keywords: Cymbopogon citratus, citral, myrcene, linalool, freeze-drying. ResumenEl objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar el efecto de diferentes mezclas de agentes encapsulantes (goma arábiga (GA), maltodextrina (MD) y/o goma xantana (GX) y dos diferentes métodos de congelamiento (lento y rápido)) sobre la eficiencia de encapsulamiento del aceite esencial de Cymbopogon citratus y evaluar su liberación durante el almacenamiento. La retención de α− y β−citral, β−mirceno y linalol se determinaron mediante cromatografía de gases con espectrometría de masas (CG EM). La liberación de los compuestos durante el almacenamiento se evaluó a 76% de humedad relativa y 30°C. Las retenciones más altas obtenidas fueron 78±9% para β−citral, 94±5.6% para α−citral, 81.6±5.8% para β−mirceno y 39.7±2.3% para linalol, utilizando congelación lenta y una mezcla de 50% GA, 40% MD y 10% GX (volumen). La cinética de liberación de compuestos durante el almacenamiento fue exponencial y ajustada con el modelo de Avrami. El aceite esencial de zacate limón puede ser encapsulado mediante liofilización usando una mezcla de goma arábiga, maltodextrina y goma xantana con una retención elevada de compuestos volátiles utilizando una congelación lenta.

Development of Innovative Chewable Gel Tablets Containing Nutmeg Essential Oil Microcapsules and Their Physical Properties Evaluation

“…In other studies with thyme and coriander essential oil, it was determined that 43% of volatile compounds are released from microcapsules, and the highest amount of the release of volatile compounds was achieved at 120 min (the hydrolyzed collagen was a shell) [72]. Lemongrass essential oil relaxation from microcapsules with chitosan ranged from 2.5 ± 0.2% to 78.06 ± 8.7% [73].…”