Pickering emulsions with crosslink for hydrophobic active ingredient encapsulation

Overview

The proposed solution leverages Pickering emulsions stabilized by renewable polysaccharides, such as cellulose, starch, chitosan, and alginate, for encapsulating hydrophobic active ingredients. This approach offers a sustainable and green alternative for industries like agriculture, food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. By forming a robust interfacial layer, these emulsions prevent droplet coalescence and enable high encapsulation efficiency. The biocompatibility and biodegradability of polysaccharides make them particularly appealing for environmentally conscious applications.

Technical specifications

Key Features:

• Utilizes oil-in-water Pickering emulsions stabilized by polysaccharide particles.
• Adjustable capsule size from 100 nm to 50 µm by modifying processing parameters.
• Combination of covalent and ionic crosslinking for controlled release profiles.
• Enhanced stability through strong particle-particle interactions forming a three-dimensional network.
• Applicable in multiple industries due to biodegradable and biocompatible nature.

Technology readiness level

The technology is currently at TRL 3, with ongoing research focusing on optimizing encapsulation parameters and evaluating environmental impact. Future validation includes selecting wall materials, solid particles, and crosslinking agents, as well as characterizing the emulsions' morphology and stability.