A process of producing feed additive through encapsulation of essential oil with ß-cyclodextrin

Abstract

The present utility model relates to a process of producing a feed additive through encapsulation of an essential oil with β-cyclodextrin for aquaculture applications. The utility model addresses the technical problem of producing a stable and reproducible feed additive from volatile essential oils that are susceptible to oxidation, evaporation, and degradation during storage and feed processing. The process comprises dissolving β-cyclodextrin in a 1:2 ethanol mixture, dissolving an essential oil in ethanol wherein the molar amount of its principal bioactive constituent is equal to the molar amount of β-cyclodextrin, forming an inclusion complex through controlled mixing, stirring, cooling, filtration, and drying to obtain a dry free-flowing encapsulated feed additive. The process is particularly applicable to lemongrass and citronella essential oils and produces a stable encapsulated additive suitable for incorporation into aquaculture feeds while improving handling, storage stability, and controlled release of antimicrobial bioactive compounds.