[nanoPost] Tools for controlled storage, processing and release of flavours

Polyelectrolyte based capsules have been recently proposed as a novel type of microcontainers with multifunctional properties. These capsules are made by layer-by-layer adsorption of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes on colloidal template particles, including emulsions, of 0.05 – 20 µm diameter with sequential removal of the template core. A great variety of materials including synthetic and natural polyelectrolytes, proteins, multivalent ions, organic nanoparticles, lipids were used to build walls of hollow capsules.

The possibility of tailoring different functionalities, impregnating inorganic and organic substances both inside capsule volume and in polyelectrolyte shell, controlled release of encapsulated material provided continuous scientific and industrial interest for employing capsules as microcontainers and microreactors.

Smart polymers involved in capsule build-up exhibit reversible sensitivity to environmental conditions, such as temperature, pH, ions, etc. Inorganic nanoparticles incorporated to polyelectrolyte shell makes possible the remote activated release by ultrasound or infrared radiation. The possibilities for practical applications on living systems are illustrated.

As new developments these technologies of micro-encapsulation can be applied to solve problems related to controlled storage and release of flavours and other volatile chemicals. This includes:

to develop methodology of encapsulation of industrially important and environmentally sensitive volatile products (flavours, aromas);

to develop new technologies to solve industrially (safe handling and storage, environment protection, food industry, cosmetology and drug delivery) problems related to controlled release of gases and volatile chemicals, to develop and produce new types of trappers for aromas molecules, to develop novel techniques on nano-engineered shells with low permeability and controlled properties;

to impart certain characteristics (magnetism, fluorescence, mechanical, biodegradability and biocompatibility) to polyelectrolyte capsules via entrapment of nanoparticles with desirable properties or via modification of shell polymer;

to develop new knowledge for cost-efficient production of gas trapping nanocapsules and produce the new type of microcontainers for volatile storage, delivery and release with high controlled properties.