Stability of monoterpenes encapsulated in gum Arabic by spray-drying

Microencapsulation using spray-drying was tested with gum arabic and monote rpenes as wall and core materials, respectively. Citral, linalool, beta -my rcene, limonene, and beta -pinene were used at concentrations of 10, 20, an d 30% with respect to the wall material. The greatest percentages of retent ion occurred at a concentration of 10%. Linalool and citral presented the g reatest losses with increase in concentration. The hydrocarbons used were t he most retained. Of the hydrocarbons, beta -pinene was better retained in the capsules than limonene, and beta -myrcene was the least retained of all . The capsules presented similar external morphologies, with no apparent cr acks or porosity and an average size varying between 15.7 and 23.2 mum. The stability of the capsules to temperature was monitored for 33 days. The de gradation products of the monoterpenes were evaluated. The results indicate d a greater stability of the capsules containing beta -pinene and citral th an of those containing linalool and beta -myrcene presenting the lowest ret entions.