STUDY ON ENCAPSULATION OF LAVENDER OIL ESSENCE IN ZEOLITE AND BENTONITE MATRICES

Abstract

In the present study, four matrices for encapsulation of essential oils were investigated: based on natural zeolite, based on alkali-activated bentonite, based on combination of 60 mass % alkali-activated bentonite and 40 mass % natural zeolite and based on 60 mass % alkali-activated bentonite and 40 mass % limestone. All natural raw materials are from deposits in the Eastern Rhodopes, Bulgaria. These matrices were loaded with lavender oil essence in amounts of 5 mass %, 15 mass % and 30 mass % respectively. The change in weight was monitored after the matrices loaded with lavender oil essence and had been exposed to air for a certain period of time at room temperature (for 1, 2, 7, 9, 14 and 60 days). Using XRD and FT-IR, the preservation of lavender oil essence in the matrices was established after 1, 2, 7, 9, 14 and 60 days of exposure to air at room temperature. It can be concluded that after the granulation into spherical particles with a size of 1 to 2.5 mm, alkaline-activated bentonite can be successfully used as a matrix alone or with the addition of other natural mineral raw materials such as zeolite and limestone for encapsulation of essential oils.