Control Release of Encapsulation Citronella Oil by Complex Coacervation in Simulated Clean Floor Solution

Abstract

Citronella oil is one of the essential oils that are recently known for its applicability in food and pharmaceutical industry. The main problems of essential oil are most of the component likely unstable and also very volatile. Microencapsulation is a method whereby one material or a mixture of the materials is coated by another material. This method is designed for protection, isolation and assist in storage. In the present study, the gelatine-chitosan microcapsules were prepared by complex coacervation. In this study, encapsulated citronella oil was placed in simulated floor cleaner stimulated (Tween 80 solution).On the optical microscope, the microcapsules were spherical in shape and of irregular size. This microcapsule is confirmed by analysis of IR spectra of release of citronella oil in simulated clean floor solution. Release rate of the microcapsules (closed container) at different stirring rate at the beginning is slowly at 12 hours and begin burst and rapidly after 48 hours. When stirring increase from 300 rpm to 700 rpm the release rate increase to 80% in two weeks. Release rates of the microcapsules (closed container) at different temperature begin with a high rate in the first five days had become slow and stable after ten days. The microcapsules release rates were at 42%, 62% and 68% at 25C, 50C, and 75C, respectively after 30 days. As conclusion the encapsulation of citronella oil by complex coacervation with gelatine and chitosan as core materials will improve the quality of the microcapsules. Release rates of the microcapsules at different conditions also indicate that the released rates were influenced by the stirring rate, temperature, and closed condition.