Microencapsulated finishes

The liposomes did not interfere with alginate capsule formation and were retained within the finished capsules. When myoglobin (used as a model protein) was not entrapped within liposomes but was simply enclosed as "free" protein within the coated alginate beads, 60% of it diffused out of the capsule over the first two days. In contrast, delayed release was achieved with microencapsulated liposomes containing myoglobin. Very little myoglobin appeared outside the capsules until 10 days after the start of the release experiment. It required a further 12 days to reach a level of 60% and not until 50 days after the start of the experiment was 100% release achieved. (Figure 5)... 

Microencapsulation, a new trend for storage and release of active finishing products... 

Specos, M. M. M., Garcia, J. J., TomeseUo, J., Marino, R, Della Vecchia, M., Tesoriero, M.V. D., and Hermida, L. G. (2010). Microencapsulated citronella oil for mosquito repellent finishing of cotton textiles. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 104, 653-658. 

Food packaging is the last line of defense available for producers against insect and/or rodent infestation of finished food products. Damage due to pests is equally important in stored raw materials and in semi-processed and final food products. Repelling activity of food packaging due to incorporation of microencapsulated active compounds has been more widely discussed in context of insects than rodents, nevertheless we also mention the second application here. 

Nelson G (2001), Microencapsulation in textile finishing. Review of Progress in Coloration, 31, pp. 57-64. 

From sheets and towels that smell fresh every day to disinfectant wipes and garments with insect repellent, microencapsulation has truly taken ofF in textile finishing. However, microencapsulation technology remains complex and relatively expensive, and is not considered to be a routine finish or a substitute for other commonly used techniques that can be accomplished by conventional means. 

The periodic release of these oils (which microencapsulation is ideally suited to deliver) has been shown to significantly reduce the number of bites per minute in test boxes, from 50 to virtually none (Fig. 7.13). Textiles finished with the capsules dramatically reduce the numbers of landings and bites of mosquitoes on the wearer. Applications are many-fold, and include hunting clothes, tents, marquees, swimming suits and even mattress ticking, bed sheets and covers. 

Anitha, R., Ramachandran, T., Rajendran, R., Mahalakshmi, M., 2011. Microencapsulation of lemon grass oil for mosquito repellent finishes in polyester textiles. Elixir Bio Physics 40, 5196-5200. 

Nelson, G., 2013. Microencapsulated colourants for technical textile application. In Gukajani, M. (Ed.), Advances in the Dyeing and Finishing of Technical Textiles. Elsevier,... 

M. M. Specos et al. Microencapsulated citronella oil for mosquito repellent finishing of cotton textiles. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg, 104, 653, 2010. 

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