Insights from Syzygium aromaticum Essential Oil: Encapsulation, Characterization, and Antioxidant Activity

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Abstract
Alginate encapsulates loaded with clove essential oil (CEO) were prepared by ionic gelation, with subsequent freeze-drying. The objective of the present work was to develop a product with the ability to protect CEO against its easy volatility and oxidation. The following techniques were used to characterize the formulations: eugenol release, degree of swelling, GC/MS, TGA/DSC, and SEM. The alginate solution (1.0%) containing different concentrations of CEO (LF1: 1.0%; LF2: 0.5%; LF3: 0.1%) was dropped into a 3.0% CaCl2 solution. After lyophilization, the encapsulated samples were wrinkled and rigid, with high encapsulation power (LF3: 76.9% ± 0.5). Three chemical components were identified: eugenol (the major one), caryophyllene, and humulene. The antioxidant power (LF1: DPPH IC50 18.1 µg mL−1) was consistent with the phenol content (LF1: 172.2 mg GAE g−1). The encapsulated ones were thermally stable, as shown by analysis of FTIR peaks, eugenol molecular structure was kept unaltered. The degree of swelling was 19.2% (PBS). The release of eugenol (92.5%) in the PBS solution was faster than in the acidic medium. It was concluded that the low-cost technology used allows the maintenance of the content and characteristics of CEO in the three concentrations tested, offering a basis for further research with essential oil encapsulates.
Funding Information
  • Brazilian agencies (001, 465536/2014-0)
  • Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior-Brasil (CAPES) (001, 465536/2014-0)
  • Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (001, 465536/2014-0)
  • FAPEAL (Alagoas State Research Support Foundation) (001, 465536/2014-0)
  • FINEP by means of Rede Norte-Nordeste de Fitoterápicos (INCT-RENNOFITO) (001, 465536/2014-0)

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