Encapsulation of Lavandin Essential Oil in Poly‐(ϵ‐caprolactones) by PGSS Process

Abstract

Lavandin essential oil has been encapsulated in poly‐(ϵ‐caprolactone) (MW: 4000 g mol^–1) by means of the particles from gas saturated solutions (PGSS) process. The influence of process conditions, i.e., pre‐expansion temperature and pressure, and oil/polymer mass ratio, on the morphology of particles and the efficiency of encapsulation has been analyzed. Spherical particles with particle sizes of 100–700 μm were obtained, with increasing particle sizes and more agglomeration as the oil/polymer ratio was increased. The efficiency of encapsulation was increased by conditions that favored a fast solidification of the polymer shell, including high pre‐expansion pressures, reaching efficiencies up to 50 % with oil loads up to 120 mg oil/g particles.