title: Encapsulation of Volatile Compounds in Silk Microparticles.
abstract: Various techniques have been employed to entrap fragrant oils within microcapsules or microparticles in the food, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries for improved stability and delivery. In the present work we describe the use of silk protein microparticles for encapsulating fragrant oils using ambient processing conditions to form an all-natural biocompatible matrix. These microparticles are stabilized via physical crosslinking, requiring no chemical agents, and are prepared with aqueous and ambient processing conditions using polyvinyl alcohol-silk emulsions. The particles were loaded with fragrant oils via direct immersion of the silk particles within an oil bath. The oil-containing microparticles were coated using alternating silk and polyethylene oxide layers to control the release of the oil from the microspheres. Particle morphology and size, oil loading capacity, release rates as well as silk-oil interactions and coating treatments were characterized. Thermal analysis demonstrated that the silk coatings can be tuned to alter both retention and release profiles of the encapsulated fragrance. These oil containing particles demonstrate the ability to adsorb and controllably release oils, suggesting a range of potential applications including cosmetic and fragrance utility.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Elia
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155.
authors.forename: Jin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: Firmenich Inc., Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536.
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Budijono
authors.affiliation: Firmenich Inc., Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536.
authors.forename: Valery
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Normand
authors.affiliation: Firmenich SA, 1, Route des Jeunes, 1211 Geneva 8, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Benczédi
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155.
authors.forename: Fiorenzo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Omenetto
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155.
authors.forename: David L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Kaplan
keywords: coatings; controlled release; emulsion; microencapsulation; silk fibroin; stabilization