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Temperature‐Responsive Hydroxypropyl Cellulose Microcapsules Modulated by Hyaluronic Acid for Controlled Release of Carvacrol and Dementholized Peppermint Oil
Original title: Temperature‐Responsive Hydroxypropyl Cellulose Microcapsules Modulated by Hyaluronic Acid for Controlled Release of Carvacrol and Dementholized Peppermint Oil
Summary
Scientists created tiny, biodegradable capsules that release plant-based antioxidants (from oregano and peppermint oil) right around body temperature, offering a more natural alternative to plastic-based delivery systems used in things like skincare or supplements. By adding a natural ingredient called hyaluronic acid, they fine-tuned the capsules to "open up" at a lower, more useful temperature—making them potentially better suited for real-world use on or in the body, while also avoiding the microplastic pollution concerns tied to conventional delivery capsules.
ABSTRACT Commonly used temperature‐responsive delivery systems still exhibit intrinsic limitations in the precise tuning of the release temperature and environmental adaptability. Meanwhile, Increasing concerns over microplastic pollution have driven the development of biodegradable microcapsules as alternatives to conventional polymeric delivery systems. Herein, hyaluronic acid (HA) is introduced to achieve temperature‐responsive release in hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC)‐based microcapsules. Through competitive hydrogen bonding, HA shifts the phase transition temperature (Tp) of methacrylic anhydride‐modified hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC‐MA). After the incorporation of 2 wt% HA, its Tp decreased from 34.70°C to 30.69°C. Carvacrol (CV) and dementholized peppermint oil (DPO) were co‐encapsulated via free‐radical polymerization, endowing the CV‐DPO@HPC‐MA/HA microcapsules with antioxidant functionality. The obtained microcapsules exhibited a mean particle size of 1.3 μm, with an encapsulation efficiency (EE) of 88.0%. At 32°C, the final cumulative release of HA‐modified microcapsules was 20.58% higher than that of unmodified microcapsules. At a concentration of 10 mg/mL, the microcapsules achieved 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′‐azino‐bis (3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging rates of 85.49% and 86.85%, respectively. Besides, both types of microcapsules demonstrated excellent biocompatibility and low cytotoxicity. This work provides a simple strategy to adjust the release temperature of microcapsules and offers a promising design route for stimuli‐responsive microcapsule systems.