High performance biocompatible cellulose‐based microcapsules encapsulating gallic acid prepared by inverse microsuspension polymerization

Abstract In this study, the preparation of biocompatible cellulose‐based microcapsules encapsulating gallic acid (GA), an important antioxidant of Bambara groundnut extracts, by water‐in‐oil inverse microsuspension polymerization was studied. GA and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) were selected as core and shell materials, respectively. For high encapsulation efficiency, CMC was firstly modified (modified‐CMC (m‐CMC)) with 3‐(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate (MPS) as a silane coupling agent. It was subsequently polymerized with methacrylic acid (MAA) monomer through a radical route, forming a PMAA grafted m‐CMC (m‐CMC‐ g ‐PMAA) biocompatible polymer shell. Using CMC:MPS in a ratio of 75:25 (w/w %), highly water‐soluble m‐CMC containing a C=C bond for further radical polymerization was obtained. After inverse microsuspension polymerization at various ratios of m‐CMC:MAA, highly stable spherical m‐CMC‐ g ‐PMAA microcapsules encapsulating GA were formed in all ratios. It was observed that the encapsulation efficiency increased with increase in MAA content. m‐CMC:MAA in a ratio of 33:67 (w/w%) presented the highest encapsulation efficiency which may due to the increase of hydrophilicity of the aqueous phase. It also presented rapid release and non‐cytotoxic characteristics, suited for use in cosmetic products. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry