Abstract:

Microcapsules of cumin essential oil were prepared by using β-cyclodextrin and maltodextrin as wall materials
through suction filtration and subsequent drying. Ratio between the two wall material components, solid concentration,
core material/wall material ratio, and embedding time were optimized by response surface methodology. A Box-Behnken
experimental design with the four independent variables at three levels each was established to obtain the maximum
response variable (microencapsulation efficiency). The response surface analysis showed that optimal microencapsulation
conditions of the essential oil were determined as follows: mass ratio between β-cyclodextrin and maltodextrin, 8:2 (g/g);
solid concentration, 40 g/100 mL; core material/wall material ratio, 1:5 (mL/g); and embedding time, 55 min, resulting in a
microencapsulation efficiency of 97.68%.

Key words: cumin essential oil, microcapsule, suction filtration, response surface methodology