Applications of microencapsulated essential oils

A method for the preparation of a microencapsulated essential oil formulation, said method comprising:

• (a) admixing at least one alkanoic acid with a water-immiscible liquid, wherein said water-immiscible liquid comprises at least one essential oil, thereby obtaining a water-immiscible mixture;
• (b) admixing the water-immiscible mixture of step (a) with an aqueous basic solution to obtain a suspension;
• and
• (c) admixing into the suspension of step (b) an aqueous salt solution comprising at least one multivalent cation, thereby obtaining a microencapsulated essential oil formulation, the formulation being in the form of a suspension of microcapsules in an aqueous medium, each microcapsule having a core containing at least one essential oil and an outer amphipathic shell surrounding the core.