Zein‐based microcapsule for vanillin sustained release

Abstract Currently, microcapsules are attracting great attention and becoming more and more widely used in sustained release system. In this research, zein‐based microcapsules were prepared by anti‐solvent precipitation technology and spray drying. The properties of as‐prepared microcapsules were optimized by adjusting the reaction conditions and parameters such as the mass ratio of zein to vanillin, the drying temperature and whether polyethylene glycol was added or not. Meanwhile, the morphologies, chemical structures, and application performances of microcapsules were characterized and determined by SEM, FT‐IR, TG, and so on. The results showed that the morphology of as‐obtained microcapsules was a regular spherical shape with no cracks when the mass ratio of zein to vanillin was 1:1, the inlet temperature was 120 C and the polyethylene glycol was introduced. Meanwhile, it was also proved that the polyethylene glycol has a positive effect on the encapsulation efficiency in microcapsules. Moreover, zein microcapsules can effectively improve the thermal stability and release behavior of vanillin, meanwhile the exist of polyethylene glycol can further improve the properties of zein microcapsules. This research provided guidelines for the study of microcapsules.