[Preparation and quality evaluation of microcapsules of volatile oil from Ledum palustre].

Objective: To study the preparation of microcapsules of volatile oil from Ledum palustre and its quality evaluation.
Methods: The microcapsules were prepared by complex coacervation with encapsulation efficiency as evaluation index, and the preparation was optimized by orthogonal experimental design.
Results: The optimum condition of microcapsules prepared was that 5% gelatin and gum arabic was material, with core material ratio of 1: 2; pH 4.0 and glutaraldehyde in an amount of 1.0 mL. The average encapsulation efficiency of microcapsules of volatile oil from Ledum palustre was 79.62%. Microcapsules was distributed evenly without adhesion through microscopic observation and more than 73% of the microcapsule size distribution between 10 - 14 microm. Microcapsules was spherical and the surface folded by using electron microscope scanning. The test solution and reference solution appeared same spot in the same location compared with the negative control solution.
Conclusion: The preparation process is simple, stable and feasible.