Morphology and Release Profile of Microcapsules Encapsulated Alpha-Pinene by Complex Coacervation

The chitosan-gum arabic microcapsules prepared by complex coacervation were chosen as carrier for a model insect semiochemicals, α-pinene, owing non-toxicity of the polymers and mild conditions of the method. The coated colloids were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The release of α-pinene from microspheres was studied in simulated conditions. The results showed that α-pinene-loaded microspheres which were obtained by association had a mean diameter of 5±0.5µm. The encapsulation efficiency and the encapsulation yield of the α-pinene-loaded microspheres were about 51.70±2.5% and 42.11±2.3%, respectively. The release experiments revealed that polyelectrolytes prolonged the release time of the encapsulated α-pinene. The release rate of α-pinene from the microspheres was proportional to the release time.