Encapsulated lemongrass essential oil with enhanced antimicrobial properties
Innovative encapsulation techniques for lemongrass essential oil improve its thermal stability, dispersibility, and sensory impact, making it ideal for use in food products with antimicrobial benefits.
Overview
The encapsulation of lemongrass essential oil presents a breakthrough in enhancing its application in food products. By using emulsification and spray drying technologies, the essential oil's thermal stability and dispersibility are significantly improved. This process also minimizes its strong odor, which can sometimes be undesirable in food products, without compromising its potent antimicrobial properties against yeast, molds, and fungi.
Technical specifications
The encapsulation process involves scalable techniques such as complex coacervation using chitosan with low-cost carboxymethyl cellulose or alginate, and spray drying with amylose. These methods ensure the oil's effectiveness, decrease its odor, and enhance its stability. Future optimization efforts are focused on determining the ideal biopolymer ratios, surfactant quantities, and processing conditions to maximize encapsulation efficiency.
Technology readiness level
Currently at TRL 2, the technology is in the early stages of development with initial proof of concept demonstrated in laboratory settings. Further research is aimed at optimizing encapsulation conditions and validating the thermal and sensory properties of the encapsulated oil.
About University of Novi Sad
The University of Novi Sad is a comprehensive public research university and one of the largest in Serbia, combining broad academic breadth with an applied research culture. Industry engagement is enabled by co‑located labs and a research and technology park that links faculty, students, startups, and corporate tenants. Integration with a major teaching hospital supports clinical studies and translational collaborations, while proximity to a dynamic regional ICT and agri‑food economy provides ready access to talent and pilot environments. Research is supported by competitive European programs and national funding, alongside industry‑sponsored contracts. A dedicated technology transfer office manages IP, licensing, and startup formation, with liaison services that streamline collaboration agreements.
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