16 ANALYTICAL AND LABORATORY EQUIPMENT
The present role of microencapsulation
Vibrating technology opens up new possibilities for scientists and manufactures. Philipp John reports.
M
icroencapsulation, defined as a process (integrate micro-
particles) which involves the complete envelopment of a material(s) within a porous/ impermeable membrane has already provided users with a myriad of applications. Tese particles have enabled the generation of innovative products in areas such as food, agricultural, textiles, cosmetics and the pharmaceutical sector1
, as well
as helping scientists to develop new treatments against diseases2
.
Fig. 1. The main reasons why microencapsulation (producing microcapsules) of a product takes place.
Tere are numerous reasons for encapsulation a product within a membrane and are summarized in Fig. 1. Te most common is the protection of a product from a harmful environment(s)1
artificial implants3,4 or enabling
the obtainment of high density cell cultures to produce larger quantities of medically important drugs1
. In
these cases the encapsulation process protects the cells against immune response in the body and shear stress in the bioreactor.
Te food industry has been by far the biggest benefactor of the technology. A strategic business report published in 2010 estimates the technology will generate nearly $40 billion in revenue for the food industry by 20155
. Here microcapsules are used . Examples
include the encapsulation of animal and stem cells for generating
to prevent unfavourable reactions with other ingredients, control organoleptic properties, and prevent degradation of expensive bioactive ingredients during processing and packaging1
. Te latter has
enabled food manufacturers to add significant value to their products
and obtain considerably higher mark-ups.
Microencapsulation has also been employed for sustained, controlled or targeted release of encapsulated products, and has found substantial usage for the delivery of numerous materials such as pharmaceuticals, bioactive ingredients, fragrances, adhesives, vitamins and flavours1
.
Recently the technology has being applied to new fields, which includes environmental applications for the recovery of pollutants from water6
, in fermentations to help purify bio-products7 and chemical
processes to optimise reactions. Te technology has also being adopted for technical applications, whereby it has being employed to improve flow and handling (including safety) properties of solids and liquids1
.
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