Microencapsulation of cinnamon leaf (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) and garlic (Allium sativum) oils in beta-cyclodextrin

Cinnamon leaf (CLO) and garlic oils (GO) are good antimicrobials, however, their volatility complicates their application as food preservatives. Hence, microencapsulation of CLO and GO with beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) was studied at 4:96, 8:92, 12:88, and 16:84 (oil:beta-CD) percent weight ratios. Microcapsule characterization included gas chromatography analysis, moisture sorption-desorption isotherms, infrared spectroscopy (IR), and antifungal activity against Alternaria alternata. Major oil constituents were eugenol for CLO and allyl disulfide for GO. The 16:84 ratio (CLO:beta-CD) showed the highest eugenol content; the allyl disulfide content was higher, but not significantly different (P > 0.05) for the 12:88 and 16:84 ratios. Microcapsules showed lower moisture sorption than beta-CD, although during water desorption there were no difference between them. Hydrogen bonds were detected between oil constituents and beta-CD by IR spectroscopy. CLO:beta-CD and GO:beta-CD microcapsules displayed good antifungal activity against Alternaria alternata. Therefore, CLO and GO microcapsules can have important applications in the food industry as stable natural antimicrobial compound systems.