Encapsulation Technology is a technology in which a core substance (core material) such as a solid, liquid, or gas is encapsulated in one or more layers of film (wall material) to form a microsac-like structure (usually between 1 and 1000 microns in size). Its core is to isolate the core material from the external environment through the wall material to achieve the protection, controlled release or functional optimization of the core material, which is widely used in medicine, food, cosmetics, chemical industry and other fields.

Main Composition:

• Core material: the core substance that is encapsulated, which can be drugs, flavors, probiotics, enzymes, oils, pigments, etc.

• Wall material: The material that forms the capsule film needs to have film-forming, stability and safety, and the common ones are natural polymers (such as gelatin, gum arabic, chitosan), synthetic polymers (such as polyvinyl alcohol, polylactic acid), inorganic materials (such as silicon oxide), etc.

Preparation Method:

• Spray drying method: the core material is dispersed in the wallmaterial solution, the solvent is evaporated by spray drying, and the wallmaterial is solidified to form microcapsules. It is simple to operate, suitable for industrialization, and is often used in food (such as flavor microcapsules) and medicine.

• Coagulation method: It can be divided into single coagulation (using a single polymer wall material to precipitate the core material under changes in external conditions) and complex coagulation (two polymer wall materials with opposite charges are coagulated to form a film through electrostatic action). It is suitable for the microencapsulation of liquid core materials, such as oils and fats, and drugs.

• Emulsification-cross-linking method: the core material is first emulsified and dispersed in the wall material solution, and then the wall material is cured to form microcapsules through chemical cross-linking (such as adding formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde). It is suitable for the preparation of microcapsules with high stability, such as enzyme preparations and probiotics.

• Interfacial polymerization method: the polymer wall material is formed through the monomer polymerization reaction at the oil-water interface, and the core material is encapsulated. It can prepare microcapsules with dense wall materials for sustained-release drugs, pesticides, etc.

Core Features & Benefits

• Protect the core material: isolate oxygen, light, humidity, etc., and reduce the oxidation, degradation or inactivation of the core material (such as protecting probiotics from gastric acid damage).

• Controlled release: By designing the dissolution and degradation characteristics of the wall material, the core material can be released under specific conditions (such as pH, temperature, enzyme action) (such as sustained-release drugs and long-lasting flavors).

• Improved performance: masking odors, irritation, or improving the flowability and solubility of the core material (e.g., making liquid grease into powdered microcapsules for easy addition and storage).

Typical Applications

• Pharmaceutical: protection of sustained/controlled-release drugs, targeted agents (e.g., microcapsules of anticancer drugs), vaccines and biologics.

• Food industry: stabilization and controlled release of flavors and fragrances, nutritional enhancers (such as Omega-3 fatty acids), and probiotics.

• Cosmetics: encapsulation of active ingredients (e.g. vitamins, plant extracts) to reduce skin irritation and prolong the efficacy.

• Chemical field: microencapsulation of catalysts, dyes, and flame retardants to improve efficiency and safety.