Polymer Microcapsules with a Fiber-Reinforced Nanocomposite Shell

• Published in: Langmuir Vol. 24; no. 5; pp. 1608 - 1612
• Main Authors: Sagis, Leonard M. C, de Ruiter, Riëlle, Miranda, Francisco J. Rossier, de Ruiter, Jolet, Schroën, Karin, van Aelst, Adriaan C, Kieft, Henk, Boom, Remko, van der Linden, Erik
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Chemical Society 04.03.2008
• Subjects: amyloid fibrils; capsules; Capsules - chemistry; Chemistry; Colloidal state and disperse state; emulsions; Exact sciences and technology; fabrication; Freeze Drying; General and physical chemistry; human serum-albumin; nanocapsules; Nanotechnology - methods; Pectins - chemistry; permeability; Polymers - chemistry; stability; Surface physical chemistry; Surface Properties; vesicles; Drug; Industrial production; Stability; Multilayer; Fiber; Microcapsule; Polymer; Capsule; Permeability; Potential; Density; Adsorption; Nanocomposite; Whey protein; Polysaccharide; Release; Food
• ISSN: 0743-7463; 1520-5827
• DOI: 10.1021/la7032115

Polymer microcapsules can be used as controlled release systems in drugs or in foods. Using layer-by-layer adsorption of common food proteins and polysaccharides, we produced a new type of microcapsule with tunable strength and permeability. The shell consists of alternating layers of pectin and whey protein fibrils, yielding a fiber-reinforced nanocomposite shell. The strength can be tightly controlled by varying the number of layers or the density and length of the fibrils in the protein layers. The mechanical stability of these microcapsules appears to be superior to that of currently available multilayer capsules. The method involves only standard unit operations and has the potential for scaling up to industrial production volumes.