Method for Producing Microcapsules

A process for preparing a plant protein-based microcapsule comprising the following steps in this order:

• (i) providing an internal non-aqueous phase comprising at least one aliphatic polyisocyanate as a crosslinking agent and at least one hydrophobic active ingredient and optionally at least one further crosslinking agent;
• (ii) providing an external aqueous phase comprising at least one plant protein
• and optionally at least one first polysaccharide and/or at least one further crosslinking agent and/or at least one polyhydroxyphenol and/or at least one protective colloid, and further optionally adjusting the pH of the aqueous phase to a pH below the isoelectric point of the plant protein;
• (iii) emulsifying or dispersing the internal non-aqueous phase in the external aqueous phase, optionally in the presence of at least one stabilizer and/or at least one emulsifier, to obtain an oil-in-water emulsion or dispersion;
• (iv) optionally adding at least one further polysaccharide and/or at least one further plant protein;
• (v) carrying out a first cross-linking to obtain a microcapsule slurry;
• (vi) curing the microcapsule slurry at a temperature of at least 60° C. and optionally adding a further polysaccharide and/or a further plant protein;
• (vii) cooling and optionally carrying out a further crosslinking by addition of at least one further crosslinking agent;
• and
• (viii) optionally, separating the microcapsules from the microcapsule slurry and, if necessary, drying the microcapsules or adjusting the viscosity of the microcapsule slurry by adding at least one thickening agent.