Process of Encapsulating Oils, Product Obtained and Related Uses

A process for the production of micro or nanoencapsulated essential oils comprising:

• a starting composition containing:
• 45-55% starch;
• 35-45% water;
• 0-0.1% alpha-amylase;
• 5-15% oil or mixture of essential oils;
• 0.01-0.10% benzoate;
• 0.01-0.10% sorbate;
• 0-0.05% citric acid;
• 0-0.5% citrus pectin;
• 0-10% organic acids selected from the group consisting of at least one of fumaric, formic, propionic, lactic, butyric, and a mixture thereof;
• and comprising the following steps:
• Introducing 100% of the water into a reactor, wherein the reactor contains an reactor outlet duct;
• stirring the water in the reactor in a range between 95 and 105 rpm;
• Adding between 40 and 45% starch;
• Adding between 40 and 45% of the alpha-amylase;
• Adjusting the temperature to a range between 45 and 55° C.
• Maintaining the temperature at 50° C. for 10 to 25 minutes for the gelation process to consolidate;
• Adjusting the temperature to a range between 65 and 75° C.;
• Removing 3 to 10% of the mixture present in the reactor outlet duct, remove it from the equipment and adding it back to the reactor;
• Bringing the temperature to a range between 85 and 95° C.;
• Removing 3 to 10% of the mixture present in the reactor outlet duct, remove it from the equipment and adding it back to the reactor;
• Maintaining agitation and temperature for 10 to 25 minutes;
• Lowering the temperature in the reactor to a range between 65 and 75° C.;
• Adding between 40 and 45% starch;
• Adding between 40 and 45% of the alpha-amylase;
• Removing 3 to 10% of the mixture present in the reactor outlet duct, remove it from the equipment and adding it back to the reactor;
• Bringing the temperature to a range between 85 and 95° C.;
• Removing 3 to 10% of the mixture present in the reactor outlet duct, remove it from the equipment and adding it back to the reactor;
• Maintaining agitation and temperature for 10 to 25 minutes;
• Lowering the temperature in the reactor to a range between 65 and 75° C.;
• Adding the remaining formulated starch;
• Adding the remaining formulated alpha-amylase;
• Removing 3 to 10% of the mixture present in the reactor outlet duct, remove it from the equipment and adding it back to the reactor;
• Adjusting the temperature to a range between 85 and 95° C.;
• Removing 3 to 10% of the mixture present in the reactor outlet duct, remove it from the equipment and adding it back to the reactor;
• Maintaining agitation and temperature for 10 to 25 minutes;
• Adding the formulated acids;
• Adding the benzoate and sorbate;
• Stirring for another 5 to 15 minutes;
• Stoping stirring;
• Sending the product to a second reactor;
• Stirring at between 3000 and 4000 rpm if a microemulsion is desired or between 4000 and 5000 rpm if a nano emulsion is desired;
• Adding the essential oil or mixture of formulated essential oils;
• Adding the formulated pectin;
• Continue stirring between 3000 and 4000 rpm;
• Introducing the product into a spray dryer at a temperature between 40 and 70° C.;
• Introducing the drying air into the spraying unit at a temperature between 160 and 220° C.;
• and
• Controling the outlet temperature so that the product exits at a humidity between 5 and 10%.