Microencapsulation technology is a technique that encapsulates solid, liquid or even gaseous substances within tiny sac-like structures. This sac-like structure is called a microsac, and its wall material is usually composed of natural or synthetic polymer materials. By means of physical, chemical or physicochemical methods, the core substances are encapsulated within, thereby achieving the purposes of protecting, isolating and controlling the release of the core substances. For instance, in the pharmaceutical field, encapsulating drugs that are prone to oxidation with microencapsulation technology can prevent the drugs from deteriorating due to contact with the external environment.

Common wall materials

Natural polymer materials, such as gelatin, are widely available and have good biocompatibility and degradability. Microcapsules are often prepared by composite coagulation with gum Arabic and other materials. There is also alginate, which can cross-link with multivalent cations under mild conditions to form microcapsules, featuring high safety and low cost.

Semi-synthetic polymer materials: such as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, which has good water solubility, the performance of microcapsules can be adjusted by changing the degree of substitution, etc. Ethyl cellulose has better film-forming properties and hydrophobicity, and is suitable for the preparation of sustained-release microcapsules.

Synthetic polymer materials: Polylactic acid-glycolic acid copolymer (PLGA) has excellent biocompatibility and adjustable degradation rate, and is widely used in drug delivery microcapsules. In addition, polymethyl methacrylate and others are also often used to prepare microcapsules, which have good mechanical properties.

Application

In the field of medicine: It is used for the sustained and controlled release of drugs. For instance, microencapsulation of antibiotics can prolong the duration of drug action and reduce the frequency of medication. Targeted drug delivery can also be achieved. For instance, anti-cancer drugs can be encapsulated in specific microcapsules to be released at the tumor site, thereby enhancing therapeutic efficacy and reducing toxic and side effects.

In the field of food: microencapsulation of flavor substances, nutrient fortifiers, etc. For instance, microencapsulation of vitamin C can prevent its oxidation loss and mask unpleasant odors at the same time. Microencapsulated probiotics can be released at specific points in the intestinal tract to exert probiotic effects.

In the field of cosmetics: Microencapsulating active ingredients such as vitamin E and plant extracts can protect their stability and extend their shelf life. When in use, the microcapsules rupture to release active ingredients, enhancing the skin care effect.