Improvements in or relating to organic compounds

Abstract

The present invention provides a microcapsule composition in the form of a slurry, comprising a plurality of core-shell microcapsules comprising a core containing at least one functional material and a shell encapsulating the core, wherein the core-shell microcapsules correspond to about 25 wt% to about 50 wt% of the composition; and an aqueous phase, wherein the aqueous phase contains monovalent and / or divalent inorganic salts; and wherein the conductivity of the microcapsule composition is higher than about 5000 μS / cm.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a microcapsule composition in the form of a slurry comprising a plurality of core-shell microcapsules and an aqueous phase. In particular, the present invention relates to a plurality of core-shell microcapsules comprising a core containing at least one functional material and a shell encapsulating the core; and a microcapsule composition comprising an aqueous phase (wherein the aqueous phase contains monovalent and / or divalent inorganic salts).

Background Art

[0002] Background of the Invention It is known to incorporate functional materials encapsulated in consumer products such as household care products, personal care products, fabric care products, etc. Functional materials include, for example, fragrances, cosmetic active agents, and biologically active components such as biocides and drugs.

[0003] Particularly suitable microcapsules for the delivery of such functional materials are core-shell microcapsules, where the core contains the functional material and the shell is impermeable or partially impermeable to the functional material. Usually, these microcapsules are used in an aqueous medium and the encapsulated functional material is hydrophobic. The shell material is desirably non-reactive with the functional material, inexpensive, and exhibits properties that do not change during storage.

[0004] A wide range of materials such as aminoplast resins, polyurethane resins, polyurethane resins, polyacrylate resins, and combinations thereof have been used to encapsulate functional materials, particularly volatile functional materials such as fragrance components. Encapsulated fragrance compositions are typically prepared in the form of an aqueous slurry.

[0005] To prevent flocculation, coagulation, creaming or sedimentation that can cause problems for further processing of the slurry, e.g., incorporation into a consumer product of the subsequent slurry, it is important to ensure that the fragrance-containing microcapsules are well dispersed in the slurry, and it is particularly important to avoid aggregation of the microcapsules in the aqueous dispersion medium. It can also have a negative impact on the consumer product aspect.

[0006] Aggregation is defined as the process of contact and adhesion where dispersed microcapsules gather together by weak physical interactions. Most aggregates in the microcapsule slurry contain two or three microcapsule clusters. The process can ultimately lead to phase separation by creaming of the microcapsules at the surface of the slurry or formation of sediment larger than the colloidal size. Aggregation is a reversible process.

[0007] In manufacturing, to obtain a homogeneous consumer product that substantially shows no signs of flocculation, coagulation, creaming or sedimentation, it is common to dilute the slurry with water and filter the diluted microcapsule slurry through a sieve of an appropriate size and then incorporate it into the consumer product. If aggregation of the microcapsules occurs in the slurry, e.g., during storage, filtering the diluted slurry through a sieve that is two times or more the size of the microcapsules can result in compression of the microcapsules on the sieve and ultimately clogging of the sieve, whereby the amount of functional material present in the consumer product will be lower.

[0008] This problem has generally been solved by employing a sieve having a size substantially larger than about two or three times the size of the microcapsules. However, not all manufacturers are equipped with a sieve of a size capable of accommodating relatively large-sized microcapsule aggregates. Moreover, even if sieve clogging can be avoided by using a sieve of a larger size, consumer products may exhibit signs of undesirable flocculation, coagulation, creaming or sedimentation.

[0009] Accordingly, there is a problem of preventing aggregation of microcapsules in a microcapsule slurry, thereby avoiding the problem of sieve clogging and preventing undesirable aspects of consumer products.

[0010] The Applicant has surprisingly and unexpectedly found that adding a monovalent and / or divalent inorganic salt to a slurry of microcapsules comprising a plurality of core-shell microcapsules comprising a core containing at least one fragrance component and a shell encapsulating the core (wherein the core-shell microcapsules correspond to about 25 wt% to about 50 wt% of the composition); and an aqueous phase, can prevent aggregation of the microcapsules upon dilution with water. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a microcapsule composition in the form of a slurry, the microcapsule composition comprising a plurality of core-shell microcapsules comprising a core containing at least one fragrance component and a shell encapsulating the core, wherein the core-shell microcapsules correspond to about 25 wt% to about 50 wt%, preferably about 30 wt% to about 40 wt% of the composition; and an aqueous phase, wherein the aqueous phase contains a monovalent and / or divalent inorganic salt; and wherein the conductivity of the microcapsule composition is higher than about 5000 μS / cm.

[0012] In a further aspect, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a microcapsule composition as described herein. A method for preventing flocculation of microcapsules as defined herein, wherein a monovalent and / or divalent inorganic salt is added to the microcapsule composition in the form of a slurry, is also provided in a further aspect.

[0013] In another aspect, the use of a monovalent and / or divalent inorganic salt for preventing flocculation in a microcapsule composition as described herein is provided. A further aspect relates to a consumer product comprising a microcapsule composition as defined herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Definitions The term "functional material" refers to any substance that, when added to a product, can improve the consumer's perception of the product or enhance the action of the product in a particular application. Examples of functional materials include fragrance or perfume components, bioactive agents (such as bactericides, insect repellents, and pheromones), substrate enhancers (such as silicones and brighteners), enzymes (such as lipases and proteases), dyes and pigments, and combinations thereof.

[0015] The size of the microcapsules is generally defined by the median volume diameter (volume median diameter: Dv50), also known as the median particle size by volume, which represents the largest particle diameter below which 50% of the volume of the sample is present.

[0016] The conductivity of a solution is a measure of its ability to conduct electricity. Conductivity measurements are customarily used as a reliable means of measuring ionic contaminants in solutions in many industrial and environmental applications. In many cases, conductivity is directly related to the total solids (or ion concentration) dissolved in the solution. Ionic compounds dissociate into ions when dissolved in water. High-quality deionized water has a conductivity of about 0.05 μS / cm at 25 °C, typical drinking water is in the range of 200 - 1000 μS / cm, while seawater is about 50 mS / cm (or 50,000 μS / cm). The total electrolyte concentration in a solution affects the behavior of microcapsules suspended or dispersed in the solution.

[0017] Bio-based polymers useful in forming the microcapsule compositions according to the present invention are obtained from or derived from natural sources such as plants, fungi, bacteria, algae or animal sources, and can be native, i.e., unmodified from their natural state, or chemically modified, and can be any polymer capable of forming a shell that encapsulates the functional material. Unless otherwise indicated, all percentages are expressed as weight percentages (wt.-%).

[0018] Detailed Description Here, the preferred and / or optional features of the present invention are described. Unless otherwise required by the context, any aspect of the present invention may be combined with any other aspect of the present invention. Unless otherwise required by the context, the preferred or optional features of any aspect may be combined, alone or in combination, with any aspect of the present invention, as well as with any other preferred or optional features.

[0019] The applicant has surprisingly and unexpectedly found that adding a monovalent and / or divalent inorganic salt to a plurality of core-shell microcapsules comprising a core containing at least one fragrance component and a shell encapsulating the core (wherein the core-shell microcapsules correspond to about 25 wt% to about 50 wt% of the composition); and a microcapsule composition in the form of a slurry containing an aqueous phase (wherein the conductivity of the microcapsule composition is higher than about 5000 μS / cm) results in a microcapsule composition in the form of a slurry that shows no signs of microcapsule aggregation and passes through a sieve sized about 2 to 3 times the volume average diameter (Dv50) of the microcapsules without clogging the sieve.

[0020] The present invention thus provides a microcapsule composition in the form of a slurry comprising a plurality of core-shell microcapsules comprising a core containing at least one functional material and a shell encapsulating the core (wherein the core-shell microcapsules correspond to about 25 wt% to about 50 wt%, preferably about 30 wt% to about 40 wt% of the composition); and an aqueous phase (wherein the aqueous phase contains a monovalent and / or divalent inorganic salt), wherein the conductivity of the microcapsule composition is higher than about 5000 μS / cm.

[0021] Core-shell microcapsules The microcapsules of the present invention are core-shell microcapsules comprising a core containing a functional material and a shell encapsulating the core. The core-shell microcapsule composition is generally provided in the form of a slurry, i.e., a dispersion or suspension of the microcapsules in an aqueous medium, which may contain more than approximately 50 wt.-% water, preferably more than about 60 wt.-% water.

[0022] The slurry may be used as is (i.e., in neat, undiluted form) or typically diluted in deionized water or tap water. The diluted slurry may contain approximately 50 - 99 wt.-% water, depending on the dilution factor.

[0023] In one aspect, the shell of the core - shell microcapsules comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of melamine - formaldehyde polymers, urea - formaldehyde polymers, polyureas, polyurethanes, polyamides, polyacrylates, polycarbonates, and mixtures thereof, as defined herein.

[0024] Thermosetting resin Thermosetting resins are typically obtained by reacting polyfunctional monomers such as amines, isocyanates, alcohols or phenols, chlorocarboxylic acids, (meth)acrylates, epoxides, silanes, and aldehydes.

[0025] Thermosetting resins such as aminoplasts, polyureas, and polyurethane resins, and combinations thereof, are commonly used as shell materials in the preparation of core - shell microcapsules. They have been particularly evaluated for their resistance to leakage of the benefit agent when dispersed in an aqueous suspension medium and further in a surfactant - containing medium.

[0026] In one aspect, the shell may contain a melamine - formaldehyde polymer. This type of core - shell capsule has proven to be particularly suitable for encapsulation of benefit agents and is described, for example, in WO 2018 / 197266 A1, WO 2016 / 207180 A1, and WO 2017 / 001672 A1.

[0027] In one aspect, the shell may comprise a polyurea or polyurethane polymer. Also, this type of core-shell capsule has been successfully used for encapsulation of benefit agents and has the advantage of being able to address consumer concerns regarding residual formaldehyde in the composition. Such capsules are also described, for example, in WO 2016 / 071149 A1.

[0028] In one aspect, the shell may comprise a polyacrylate, one or more monoethylenically unsaturated and / or polyethylenically unsaturated monomer(s) in polymerized form. This type of core-shell capsule has also been successfully used for encapsulation of benefit agents. Such capsules are described in the prior art, for example, in WO 2013 / 111912 A1 or WO 2014 / 032920 A1.

[0029] Polymeric stabilizer In one aspect, the shell may comprise a polymeric stabilizer formed by a combination of a polymeric surfactant and at least one aminosilane, like the shell described in WO 2020 / 233887A1.

[0030] Core cell bate In one aspect, the shell may comprise a composite coacervate formed from at least one protein and at least one polysaccharide. Such core-shell capsules have proven to be suitable for encapsulation of functional materials and are described, for example, in WO 1996 / 020612 A1, WO 2001 / 03825 A1 or WO 2015 / 150370 A1.

[0031] The crosslinking of at least one protein with a first crosslinking agent and subsequent addition of at least one polysaccharide to form the composite coacervate is described in WO 2021 / 239742 A1.

[0032] Hydrated polymer phase and polymeric stabilizer In one aspect, the shell may include a hydrated polymer phase and a polymeric stabilizer at the interface between the shell and the core, as described in the co-pending patent application WO 2023 / 020883A1.

[0033] In such an arrangement, the polymeric stabilizer provides an impermeable encapsulation material, while the bio-based hydrated polymer phase provides the desired deposition and adhesion to the substrate.

[0034] The polymeric stabilizer may be selected from a wide range of film-forming materials and resins. Preferably, the polymeric stabilizer is highly cross-linked to significantly reduce the diffusion of the encapsulated functional material through the shell. Preferably, the impermeability of the shell is high enough to significantly prevent the leakage of the functional material in the extraction medium, such as consumer products containing surfactants.

[0035] In one aspect of the invention, the polymeric stabilizer is a thermosetting resin. Thermosetting resins are typically obtained by reacting polyfunctional monomers such as amines, isocyanates, alcohols or phenols, chlorocarboxylic acids, (meth)acrylates, epoxides, silanes and aldehydes.

[0036] In one aspect of the invention, the polymeric stabilizer is formed by the reaction of an aminosilane and a polyfunctional isocyanate. Such a polymeric stabilizer has the advantage of being highly cross-linked and easily providing surface anchor groups for immobilizing additional materials to complete shell formation. These additional materials may include additional encapsulation materials, coatings, and simple and complex coacervates, and hydrogels, as described in more detail below.

[0037] The aminosilane used in the formation of the polymeric stabilizer can be selected from compounds of formula (I). Si(R 1 )(R 2 )f (OR 3 ) (3-f) Formula (I) wherein R 1 is a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl residue containing an amine functional group; R 2 is each independently a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; R 3 is each independently H, or a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and f is 0, 1 or 2.

[0038] The silane groups may undergo a polycondensation reaction with each other to form a silica network at this interface that further stabilizes the oil / water interface.

[0039] In one embodiment, R 2 and R 3 are each independently methyl or ethyl. In one embodiment, f is 0 or 1. In one embodiment, R 1 is a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl residue of C1-C 12 containing an amine functional group. Optionally, R 1 is a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl residue of C1-C4 containing an amine functional group. In one embodiment, the amine functional group is a primary amine, secondary amine or tertiary amine.

[0040] In one embodiment, at least one aminosilane is a bipodal aminosilane. "Bipodal aminosilane" means a molecule containing at least one amino group and two residues, each of those residues having at least one alkoxysilane moiety. Bipodal aminosilanes are particularly advantageous for forming a stable oil-water interface. Without wishing to be bound by theory, this beneficial role is thought to be due to the specific bidirectional arrangement of the silane moieties in the molecule of the bipodal aminosilane, which enables the formation of a more tightly linked silica network at the oil-water interface.

[0041] In one embodiment, the bifunctional aminosilane is a compound of formula (II). (O-R 3 ) (3-f) (R 2 ) f SiR 4 XR 4 Si(O-R 3 ) (3-f) (R 2 ) f Formula (II) wherein X is -NR 5 -, -NR 5 -CH2-NR 5 -, -NR 5 -CH2-CH2-NR 5 -, -NR 5 -CO-NR 5 -, or

Chemical formula

[0042] R 2 is each independently a linear or branched alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; R 3 is each independently H or a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; R 4 is each independently a linear or branched alkylene group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms; R 5 is each independently H, CH3 or C2H5; and f is each independently 0, 1 or 2.

[0043] In one embodiment, R 2 is CH3 or C2H5. In one embodiment, R 3 is CH3 or C2H5. In one embodiment, R 4 is -CH2-, -CH2-CH2- or -CH2-CH2-CH2-CH2-. In one aspect, R 5 is H or CH3. In one aspect, f is 0 or 1.

[0044] Examples of suitable bifunctional aminosilanes include, but are not limited to, bis(3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl)amine, N,N'-bis(3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl)urea, bis(3-(methyldiethoxysilyl)propyl)amine, N,N'-bis(3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl)ethane-1,2-diamine, bis(3-(methyldimethoxysilyl)propyl)-N-methylamine, N,N'-bis(3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl)piperazine, and combinations thereof.

[0045] In one aspect, the bifunctional aminosilane is bis(3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl)amine, which has the advantage of releasing ethanol instead of the more toxic and less preferred methanol during the polycondensation of the ethoxysilane groups.

[0046] The bifunctional aminosilane can be a secondary aminosilane. Using a secondary bifunctional aminosilane instead of a primary aminosilane reduces the reactivity of the polymeric stabilizer with respect to electrophilic species, especially aldehydes. Thus, functional materials containing high levels of aldehydes can be encapsulated so as to be less prone to detrimental interactions between the core-forming material and the shell-forming material.

[0047] Other aminosilanes can also be used in combination with the aforementioned bifunctional aminosilanes, especially the aminosilanes described above herein.

[0048] The polyfunctional isocyanate may be selected from organic isocyanates in which the isocyanate group is bonded to an organic residue (R-N=C=O or R-NCO). The polyfunctional isocyanate may be selected from alkyl, alicyclic, aromatic and alkyl aromatic, and anionically modified polyfunctional isocyanates having two or more (for example, 3, 4, 5, etc.) isocyanate groups in the molecule, and combinations thereof.

[0049] Preferably, the polyfunctional isocyanate is an aromatic or alkyl aromatic isocyanate, and the alkyl aromatic polyfunctional isocyanate preferably has a methyl isocyanate group attached to the aromatic ring. Both the aromatic and methyl isocyanate-substituted aromatic polyfunctional isocyanates have excellent reactivity compared to alkyl and alicyclic polyfunctional isocyanates. Among these, 2-ethylpropane-1,2,3-tris((3-(isocyanatomethyl)phenyl)carbamate) is particularly preferred due to its trifunctional nature which is advantageous for the formation of intermolecular crosslinks and its intermediate reactivity which is advantageous for network uniformity. This alkyl aromatic polyfunctional isocyanate is commercially available under the trademark Takenate D-100 N sold by Mitsui or the trademark Desmodur® Quix175 sold by Covestro.

[0050] As an alternative to the aromatic or alkyl aromatic polyfunctional isocyanate, it may be advantageous to add an anionically modified polyfunctional isocyanate due to the ability of such polyfunctional isocyanates to react at the oil / water interface and even in the aqueous phase close to the oil / water interface. Particularly suitable anionically modified polyfunctional isocyanates have formula (III).

Chemical formula

[0051] Formula (III) represents a commercially available anionically modified polyisocyanate, which is a modified isocyanurate of hexamethylene diisocyanate sold by Covestro under the trademark Bayhydur® XP2547.

[0052] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the polyfunctional isocyanate is 2-ethylpropane-1,2,3-trilyltris((3-(isocyanatomethyl)phenyl)carbamate). Particularly preferably, the polymeric stabilizer is formed by the reaction of bis(3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl)amine with 2-ethylpropane-1,2,3-trilyltris((3-(isocyanatomethyl)phenyl)carbamate). This combination of this specific bifunctional secondary aminosilane and the polyfunctional isocyanate provides advantageous interfacial stability and release properties. The stabilized interface is sufficiently impermeable to effectively encapsulate at least one functional material contained in the core and has the desired surface functional groups.

[0053] The hydrated polymer phase may be a coacervate, particularly a composite coacervate. "Composite coacervation" means the formation of an interfacial layer containing a mixture of polyelectrolytes.

[0054] The phenomenon of coacervation can be observed under an optical microscope, where it is prominent by the appearance of a ring around the droplets of the core composition. This ring consists of the aforementioned polyelectrolyte-rich phase having a refractive index different from that of the surrounding aqueous phase.

[0055] Coacervation of polyelectrolytes is generally induced by bringing the polyelectrolyte close to its isoelectric point, i.e., the point where the net charge of the polyelectrolyte is zero or close to zero. This can be achieved by changing the salt concentration or pH of the medium. In composite coacervation, complexation occurs at a pH where one of the polyelectrolytes has an overall positive charge (polycation) and the other polyelectrolyte has an overall negative charge (polyanion), so that the overall charge of the complex is neutral.

[0056] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the coacervate may be formed from a polycation and a polyanion.

[0057] Preferably, the pH is used as a parameter to drive coacervation. Thus, the polycation preferably has a charge that depends on the pH. This is the case for polymers with primary, secondary and tertiary amino groups, such as polyamines, e.g., chitosan, and most proteins, e.g., gelatin. Proteins have the additional advantage of being prone to temperature-dependent structural changes, which can also be used to control the morphology of the coacervate. In particular, by changing the temperature of some proteins, the formation of secondary, tertiary and quaternary structures of the protein is induced, which can also be used to control the properties of the coacervate.

[0058] Chitosan has the advantage of being derived from chitin, a natural polymer. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the polycation is selected from the group consisting of proteins, chitosan, and combinations thereof.

[0059] More specifically, the polycation can be a protein selected from the group consisting of gelatin, casein, albumin, polylysine, soybean protein, pea protein, rice protein, hemp protein, and combinations thereof. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one protein is gelatin, and even more preferably type B gelatin.

[0060] Type B gelatin is obtained from the alkaline treatment of collagen and is well known for its ability to form complexes with anionic polyelectrolytes such as polysaccharides that are negatively charged under weakly acidic conditions.

[0061] Gelatin is typically characterized by what is known as "Bloom Strength". For the purposes of the present invention, the Bloom Strength refers to the stiffness of a gelatin film measured by what is known as a "Bloom Gelometer" in accordance with Chapter 2.1 of the Official Procedures of the Gelatin Manufacturers Institute of America, Inc. (Revised 2019). In accordance with this procedure, the Bloom Strength, expressed in Bloom, is equal to the weight, expressed in g, required to vertically move a standardized plunger having a diameter of 12.5 mm to a depth of 4 mm in a gelatin gel prepared by dissolving 6.67 wt.-% gelatin in deionized water at 60°C in a standardized bottle and allowing the gel to form at 10°C for 17 hours under controlled conditions, i.e., in a standardized bottle. The greater the weight, the higher the Bloom Strength of the gelatin used to prepare the tested gel.

[0062] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, type B gelatin has a Bloom Strength of 90 to 250 Bloom. If the Bloom Strength is too low, the gel is mechanically weak and the coacervate obtained therefrom may not form a self-standing layer of the gelatin-rich phase around the core composition. If the Bloom Strength is too high, the coacervate and the gelatin-rich phase obtained therefrom may become too brittle.

[0063] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, type B gelatin can be obtained from fish. This is because fish gelatin meets with better acceptance among consumers than beef or pork gelatin, mainly due to health concerns, social background or religious rules. Alternatively, the protein may be a vegetable protein, in particular pea protein and / or soybean protein, which has the advantage of being vegan.

[0064] The polycation may be a denatured protein. In contrast to native proteins, denatured proteins are deprived of the ability to form secondary, tertiary or quaternary structures and are essentially amorphous. Such amorphous proteins can form more impermeable films compared to native proteins and can thus also contribute to the encapsulating power of the shell. Denaturation may be achieved by treating the protein by chemical or physical means such as acid or alkali treatment, heat, or exposure to a hydrogen bond breaker.

[0065] In the case where the polycation is chitosan, chitosan can have a molecular weight between 3,000 and 1,000,000 g / mol, more specifically between 10,000 and 500,000 g / mol, and even more specifically between 30,000 and 300,000 g / mol.

[0066] The polyanion may be any negatively charged polymer. However, since pH is preferably used to control coacervation, it may be more advantageous for the charge of the polymer to be pH-dependent. Such polymers may be selected from polymers having pendant carboxyl groups, such as polymers and copolymers of methacrylic acid and acrylic acid, hydrolyzed maleic anhydride copolymers, and polysaccharides having carboxyl groups. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the polyanion is a polysaccharide containing carboxylate groups and / or sulfate groups.

[0067] Polysaccharides containing carboxylate groups are particularly suitable for complex coacervation with proteins. This is due to the fact that the net charge of these polysaccharides can be adjusted by adjusting the pH, thereby promoting complexation with zwitterionic proteins. Complexation occurs at a pH at which the protein has an overall positive charge, while the polysaccharide has an overall negative charge, so that the overall charge of the complex is neutral. These polysaccharides include native, i.e., unmodified polysaccharides from the natural state, and modified polysaccharides.

[0068] Polysaccharides containing carboxylic acid groups can contain uronic acid units, especially hexuronic acid units. Such polysaccharides are widely available in nature. Hexuronic acid units are selected from the group consisting of galacturonic acid units, glucuronic acid units, especially 4-O-methyl-glucuronic acid units, guluronic acid units, mannuronic acid units, and combinations thereof.

[0069] Polysaccharides containing carboxylic acid groups may be branched. Branched polysaccharides containing carboxylic acid groups have the advantage of forming a more compact network than linear polysaccharides and can thus be advantageous in the impermeability of the encapsulation shell, resulting in reduced leakage and higher encapsulation efficiency.

[0070] Carboxylate groups can be present, at least in part, in the form of the corresponding carboxylate salts, especially the carboxylate salts of the corresponding sodium, potassium, magnesium or calcium. In certain embodiments of the invention, the polyanion is selected from the group consisting of pectin, gum arabic, alginate, and combinations thereof.

[0071] Among pectins, carboxylic acid groups can be present, in part, in the form of the corresponding methyl esters. The percentage of carboxylic acid groups present in the form of the corresponding methyl esters can be 3% to 95%, preferably 4% to 75%, more preferably 5 to 50%. Pectins containing carboxyl groups in which more than 50% are present in the form of the corresponding methyl esters are referred to as "highly methoxylated". Pectins containing carboxylic acid groups in which less than 50% are present in the form of the corresponding methyl esters are referred to as "low methoxylated".

[0072] Of the two variants of gum arabic, namely Acacia Senegal gum and Acacia Seyal gum, Acacia Senegal gum is preferred because it has a higher level of glucuronic acid.

[0073] The hydrated polymer phase can be a hydrogel. In the context of the present invention, a "hydrogel" is a three-dimensional (3D) network of hydrophilic polymers that can swell in water while maintaining its structure due to chemical or physical cross-linking of individual polymer chains.

[0074] Hydrogels can be formed at interfaces by several methods, particularly self-assembly of polyelectrolytes around existing interfaces, covalent grafting of hydrogel particles in solution, polymerization of water-soluble monomers initiated at interfaces, and phase separation of water-soluble macromolecules onto interfaces.

[0075] To avoid ambiguity, in the context of the present invention, coacervates (especially complex coacervates) cross-linked (especially by covalent bonds) are considered hydrogels. The applicant has found that the use of hydrogels particularly enhances both the deposition and adhesion of microcapsules on substrates, especially on fabrics.

[0076] Hydrogels can interconnect with polymeric stabilizers, especially via functional groups present on the surface of this stabilizer. This enables locking a hydrogel layer onto the polymeric stabilizer present at the droplet interface and creating a shell composed of a polymer composite instead of just a blend.

[0077] Both hydrogel cross-linking and hydrogel interconnection with polymeric stabilizers can be carried out continuously or simultaneously. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the hydrogel is a composite coacervate crosslinked with a bifunctional aldehyde selected from the group consisting of crosslinked coacervates, in particular polyfunctional aldehydes, more specifically succinaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, glyoxal, benzene-1,2-dialdehyde, benzene-1,3-dialdehyde, benzene-1,4-dialdehyde, piperazine-N,N-dialdehyde, 2,2'-bipyridyl-5,5'-dialdehyde, and combinations thereof. Bifunctional aldehydes are known as effective crosslinking agents for proteins.

[0078] The hydrogel is temperature-sensitive and can have a gelation temperature, in particular, between 20°C and 50°C, preferably between 25°C and 40°C. When using such a hydrogel, the deposition performance of the capsules on the fabric can be enhanced when the fabric is washed at a temperature higher than the hydrogel gelation temperature.

[0079] The shell can be further stabilized with a stabilizer. Preferably, the stabilizer contains at least two carboxylic acid groups. Even more preferably, the stabilizer is selected from the group consisting of citric acid, benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid, benzene-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid, 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid, itaconic acid, poly(itaconic acid), and combinations thereof.

[0080] Polymeric stabilizer, hydrocolloid and linker In one embodiment, the shell is a polymeric stabilizer formed by a combination of a polymeric surfactant and at least one aminosilane, as described in the co-pending application GB2203193,4; it may also contain a hydrocolloid and a linker derived from an epoxy resin.

[0081] In one embodiment, the polymeric surfactant contains a polysaccharide containing a carboxylic acid group. The polysaccharide containing a carboxylic acid group is as defined above herein. At least one amino silane is defined as described above herein. In one aspect, the polymeric stabilizer further comprises a polyfunctional isocyanate. The polyfunctional isocyanate is as defined above herein.

[0082] Hydrocolloid and epoxy resin Hydrocolloids contain a number of hydroxyl groups, which give rise to their high affinity for water molecules. These have been used as wall materials in the microencapsulation process, in and beyond the food industry. Most natural source hydrocolloids contain a number of polysaccharides and certain proteins (such as gelatin).

[0083] Hydrocolloids can interact with the polymeric stabilizer by physical interactions such as physical forces, hydrogen bonding, ionic interactions, hydrophobic interactions or electron transfer interactions. The presence of a linker derived from an epoxy resin results in the strengthening of the shell by covalent or physical bonding with the hydrocolloid and / or polymeric surfactant. Thus, the combination of epoxy resin and hydrocolloid in the microcapsule formulation serves to stabilize the oil / water interface.

[0084] In one aspect, the hydrocolloid is a hydrocolloid derived from plants or animals, or gelatin from animal-derived collagen. Suitable plant-derived hydrocolloids may be, in addition to pectin, modified starch, guar gum, locust bean gum, and konjac mannan, exudate gums such as gum arabic, ghatti gum and tragacanth, and seaweed-derived hydrocolloids such as agar, alginate and carrageenan. In one aspect, the hydrocolloid is selected from the group consisting of pectin, modified starch and gelatin.

[0085] Examples of suitable epoxy resins from which the linker is derived include, but are not limited to: epoxidized unsaturated oils such as epoxidized soybean oil, epoxidized vegetable oils; epoxidized alcohols such as isoborbide glycidyl ether, ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether, diethylene glycol diglycidyl ether, polyethylene glycol diglycidyl ether, polypropylene glycol diglycidyl ether, glycerol polyglycidyl ether, diglycerol polyglycidyl ether, polyglycerol polyglycidyl ether, polyglycerol-3-glycidyl ether, trimethylolpropane polyglycidyl ether, neopentyl glycol diglycidyl ether, 1,6-hexanediol diglycidyl ether, pentaerythritol polyglycidyl ether; castor oil glycidyl ether; epoxidized polysaccharides such as sorbitol polyglycidyl ether; epoxidized phenols such as resorcinol diglycidyl ether, hydrogenated bisphenol A diglycidyl ether; diglycidyl terephthalate; diglycidyl o-phthalate; N-glycidyl phthalimide; epoxy cresol novolak resin; hexahydrophthalic acid diglycidyl ester; epoxidized terpenes, etc.

[0086] In one aspect, the shell comprises essentially one homogeneous layer. In one aspect, the shell comprises two or more discrete layers. In one aspect, the shell comprises two or more stepwise and non-discrete layers. In one aspect, the shell of the microcapsule can be made from a biodegradable material or a non-biodegradable material. In one aspect, the microcapsule is made from a biodegradable material.

[0087] In one aspect, the volume median diameter Dv(50) of the plurality of core-shell microcapsules is from 1 to 100 μm, preferably from 2 to 75 μm, more preferably from 5 to 60 μm, and even more preferably from 20 to 50 μm. Microcapsules having a volume median diameter in the range of 10 to 30 μm exhibit optimal deposition onto various substrates such as fabrics and hair. The volume median diameter is measured by static light scattering with laser diffraction particle size analysis.

[0088] The encapsulated composition is provided in the form of a slurry of microcapsules suspended in an aqueous suspension medium and contains from about 25 wt% to about 50 wt%, preferably from about 30 wt% to about 40 wt% of the core-shell material.

[0089] The resulting encapsulated composition, provided in the form of a slurry of microcapsules suspended in an aqueous suspension medium, may be incorporated directly into the base of a consumer product or it may be diluted with water prior to incorporation into the consumer product.

[0090] Fragrance component An exhaustive list of fragrance components that can be encapsulated according to the present invention can be found in the literature of perfumery, for example, "Perfume & Flavor Chemicals", S. Arctander (Allured Publishing, 1994). The encapsulated fragrance components according to the present invention preferably include fragrance components selected from the group consisting of: ACETYL ISOEUGENOL ((E)-2-methoxy-4-(prop-1-en-1-yl)phenyl acetate); ADOXAL (2,6,10-trimethylundec-9-enal); AGRUMEX (hexyl 2-(tert-butyl)cycloacetate); ALDEHYDE C 10 DECYLIC (decanal); ALDEHYDE C 11 MOA (2-methyldecanal); ALDEHYDE C 11 UNDECYLENIC (undec-10-enal); ALDEHYDE C 110 UNDECYLIC (undecanal); ALDEHYDE C 12 LAURIC (dodecanal); ALDEHYDE C 12 MNA PURE (2-methylundecanal); ALDEHYDE C 8 OCTYLIC (octanal); ALDEHYDE C 9 ISONONYLIC (3,5,5-trimethylhexanal); ALDEHYDE C 9 NONYLIC FOOD GRADE (nonanal); ALDEHYDE C 90 NONENYLIC ((E)-non-2-enal); ALDEHYDE ISO C 11 ((E)-undec-9-enal); ALDEHYDE MANDARINE ((E)-dodec-2-enal); ALLYL AMYL GLYCOLATE (prop-2-enyl 2-(3-methylbutoxy)acetate); ALLYL CAPROATE (prop-2-enyl hexanoate); ALLYL CYCLOHEXYL PROPIONATE (prop-2-enyl 3-cyclohexylpropanoate); ALLYL OENANTHATE (prop-2-enyl heptanoate); AMBER CORE (1-((2-(tert-butyl)cyclohexyl)oxy)butan-2-ol);AMBERKETAL (3,8,8,11a - tetramethyldodecahydro - 1H - 3,5a - epoxy - naphtho[2,1 - c]oxepin); AMBERMAX (1,3,4,5,6,7 - hexahydro - beta,1,1,5,5 - pentamethyl - 2H - 2,4a - methanonaphthalene - 8 - ethanol); AMBRETTOLIDE ((Z) - oxacycloheptadec - 10 - en - 2 - one); AMBROFIX ((3aR,5aS,9aS,9bR) - 3a,6,6,9a - tetramethyl - 2,4,5,5a,7,8,9,9b - octahydro - 1H - benzo[e][1]benzofuran); AMYL BUTYRATE (pentyl butanoate); AMYL CINNAMIC ALDEHYDE ((Z) - 2 - benzylideneheptanal); AMYL SALICYLATE (pentyl 2 - hydroxybenzoate); ANETHOLE SYNTHETIC ((E) - 1 - methoxy - 4 - (prop - 1 - en - 1 - yl)benzene); ANISYL ACETATE (4 - methoxybenzyl acetate); APHERMATE (1 - (3,3 - dimethylcyclohexyl)ethyl formate); AUBEPINE PARA CRESOL (4 - methoxybenzaldehyde); AURANTIOL ((E) - methyl 2 - ((7 - hydroxy - 3,7 - dimethyloctylidene)amino)benzoate); BELAMBRE ((1R,2S,4R) - 2’ - isopropyl - 1,7,7 - trimethylspiro[bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane - 2,4’ - [1,3]dioxane]); BENZALDEHYDE (benzaldehyde); BENZYL ACETATE (benzyl acetate); BENZYL ACETONE (4 - phenylbutan - 2 - one); BENZYL BENZOATE (benzyl benzoate); BENZYL SALICYLATE (benzyl 2 - hydroxybenzoate); BERRYFLOR (ethyl 6 - acetoxyhexanoate); BICYCLO NONALACTONE (octahydro - 2H - chromen - 2 - one); BOISAMBRENE FORTE ((ethoxymethoxy) - cyclododecane); BOISIRIS ((1S,2R,5R) - 2 - ethoxy - 2,6,6 - trimethyl - 9 - methylenebicyclo[3.3.1]nonane);BORNEOL CRYSTALS ((1S,2S,4S)-1,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-ol); BORNYL ACETATE ((2S,4S)-1,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-yl acetate); BOURGEONAL (3-(4-(tert-butyl)phenyl)propanal); BUTYL BUTYRO LACTATE (1-butoxy-1-oxopropan-2-yl butanoate); BUTYL CYCLOHEXYL ACETATE PARA (4-(tert-butyl)cyclohexyl acetate); BUTYL QUINOLINE SECONDARY (2-(2-methylpropyl)quinoline); CAMPHOR SYNTHETIC ((1S,4S)-1,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one); CARVACROL (5-isopropyl-2-methylphenol); CARVONE LAEVO ((5R)-2-methyl-5-prop-1-en-2-ylcyclohexa-2-en-1-one); CASHMERAN (1,1,2,3,3-pentamethyl-2,3,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-indene-4(5H)-one); CASSYRANE (5-tert-butyl-2-methyl-5-propyl-2H-furan); CEDRENE ((1S,8aR)-1,4,4,6-tetramethyl-2,3,3a,4,5,8-hexahydro-1H-5,8a-methanoazulene); CEDRYL ACETATE ((1S,6R,8aR)-1,4,4,6-tetramethyloctahydro-1H-5,8a-methanoazulen-6-yl acetate); CEDRYL METHYL ETHER ((1R,6S,8aS)-6-methoxy-1,4,4,6-tetramethyloctahydro-1H-5,8a-methanoazulene); CETONE V ((E)-1-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-2-en-1-yl)hepta-1,6-dien-3-one); CINNAMIC ALCOHOL SYNTHETIC ((E)-3-phenylprop-2-en-1-ol); CINNAMIC ALDEHYDE ((2E)-3-phenylprop-2-enal); CINNAMYL ACETATE ((E)-3-phenylprop-2-en-1-yl acetate);CIS JASMONE ((Z)-3-methyl-2-(penta-2-en-1-yl)cyclopent-2-enone); CIS-3-HEXENOL ((Z)-hex-3-en-1-ol); CITRAL TECH ((E)-3,7-dimethylocta-2,6-dienal); CITRATHAL R ((Z)-1,1-diethoxy-3,7-dimethylocta-2,6-diene); CITRONELLAL (3,7-dimethylocta-6-enal); CITRONELLOL EXTRA (3,7-dimethylocta-6-en-1-ol); CITRONELLYL ACETATE (3,7-dimethylocta-6-en-1-yl acetate); CITRONELLYL FORMATE (3,7-dimethylocta-6-en-1-yl formate); CITRONELLYL NITRILE (3,7-dimethylocta-6-enenitrile); CLONAL (dodecanenitrile); CORANOL (4-cyclohexyl-2-methylbutan-2-ol); COSMONE ((Z)-3-methylcyclotetradec-5-enone); COUMARIN PURE CRYSTALS (2H-chromen-2-one); CRESYL ACETATE PARA ((4-methylphenyl) acetate); CRESYL METHYL ETHER PARA (1-methoxy-4-methylbenzene); CUMIN NITRILE (4-isopropylbenzonitrile); CYCLAL C (2,4-dimethylcyclohex-3-ene-1-carbaldehyde); CYCLAMEN ALDEHYDE EXTRA (3-(4-isopropylphenyl)-2-methylpropanal); CYCLOGALBANATE (allyl 2-(cyclohexyloxy)acetate); CYCLOHEXYL ETHYL ACETATE (2-cyclohexylethyl acetate); CYCLOHEXYL SALICYLATE (cyclohexyl 2-hydroxybenzoate); CYCLOMYRAL (8,8-dimethyl-1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octahydronaphthalene-2-carbaldehyde); CYMENE PARA (1-methyl-4-propan-2-ylbenzene); DAMASCENONE ((E)-1-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-1,3-dien-1-yl)but-2-en-1-one);DAMASCONE ALPHA ((E)-1-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-2-en-1-yl)but-2-en-1-one); DAMASCONE DELTA (1-(2,6,6-trimethyl-1-cyclohex-3-enyl)but-2-en-1-one); DECALACTONE GAMMA (5-hexyloxolan-2-one); DECENAL-4-TRANS ((E)-deca-4-enal); DELPHONE (2-pentylcyclopentanone); DELTA-3 CARENE ((1S,6S)-3,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[4.1.0]hepta-3-ene); DIHEXYL FUMARATE (dihexyl-but-2-enedioate); DIHYDRO ANETHOLE (1-methoxy-4-propylbenzene); DIHYDRO JASMONE (3-methyl-2-pentylcyclopent-2-enone); DIHYDRO MYRCENOL (2,6-dimethyloct-7-en-2-ol); DIMETHYL ANTHRANILATE (methyl 2-(methylamino)benzoate); DIMETHYL BENZYL CARBINOL DIMETHYL BENZYL CARBINOL (2-methyl-1-phenylpropan-2-ol); DIMETHYL BENZYL CARBINYL ACETATE (2-methyl-1-phenylpropan-2-yl acetate); DIMETHYL BENZYL CARBINYL BUTYRATE (2-methyl-1-phenylpropan-2-yl butanoate); DIMETHYL OCTENONE (4,7-dimethyloct-6-en-3-one); DIMETOL (2,6-dimethylheptan-2-ol); DIPENTENE (1-methyl-4-(prop-1-en-2-yl)cyclohex-1-ene); DIPHENYL OXIDE (oxydibenzene); DODECALACTONE DELTA (6-heptyltetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-one); DODECALACTONE GAMMA (5-octyloxolan-2-one); DODECENAL ((E)-dodeca-2-enal); DUPICAL ((E)-4-((3aS,7aS)-hexahydro-1H-4,7-methanoinden-5(6H)-ylidene)butanal);EBANOL ((E)-3-methyl-5-(2,2,3-trimethylcyclopent-3-en-1-yl)penta-4-en-2-ol); ESTERLY (ethyl cyclohexyl carboxylate); ETHYL ACETATE (ethyl acetate); ETHYL ACETOACETATE (ethyl 3-oxobutanoate); ETHYL CINNAMATE (ethyl 3-phenylprop-2-enoate); ETHYL HEXANOATE (ethyl hexanoate); ETHYL LINALOO ((E)-3,7-dimethylnona-1,6-dien-3-ol); ETHYL LINALYL ACETATE ((Z)-3,7-dimethylnona-1,6-dien-3-yl acetate); ETHYL MALTOL (2-ethyl-3-hydroxy-4H-pyran-4-one); ETHYL METHYL-2-BUTYRATE (ethyl 2-methylbutanoate); ETHYL OCTANOATE (ethyl octanoate); ETHYL OENANTHATE (ethyl heptanoate); ETHYL PHENYL GLYCIDATE (ethyl 3-phenyloxirane-2-carboxylate); ETHYL SAFRANATE (ethyl 2,6,6-trimethylcyclohexa-1,3-diene-1-carboxylate); ETHYL VANILLIN (3-ethoxy-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde); ETHYLENE BRASSYLATE (1,4-dioxacycloheptadecane-5,17-dione); EUCALYPTOL ((1s,4s)-1,3,3-trimethyl-2-oxabicyclo[2.2.2]octane); EUGENOL (4-allyl-2-methoxyphenol); EVERNYL (methyl 2,4-dihydroxy-3,6-dimethylbenzoate); FENCHYL ACETATE ((2S)-1,3,3-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-yl acetate); FENCHYL ALCOHOL ((1S,2R,4R)-1,3,3-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-ol); FENNALDEHYDE (3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-methylpropanal); FIXAMBRENE (3a,6,6,9a-tetramethyldodecahydronaphtho[2,1-b]furan);FIXOLIDE (1-(3,5,5,6,8,8-Hexamethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-yl)ethanone); FLORALOZONE (3-(4-Ethylphenyl)-2,2-dimethylpropanal); FLORHYDRAL (3-(3-Isopropylphenyl)butanal); FLORIDILE ((E)-Undeca-9-enenitrile); FLOROCYCLENE ((3aR,6S,7aS)-3a,4,5,6,7,7a-Hexahydro-1H-4,7-methanoinden-6-yl propanoate); FLOROPAL (2,4,6-Trimethyl-4-phenyl-1,3-dioxane); FLOROSA HC (Tetrahydro-4-methyl-2-(2-methylprop; L)-2H-Pyran-4-ol); FRESKOMENTHE (2-(sec-butyl) cyclohexanone); FRUCTONE (ethyl 2-(2-methyl-1,3-dioxolan-2-yl) acetate); FRUITATE ((3aS,4S,7R,7aS)-ethyl octahydro-1H-4,7-methanoinden-3a-carboxylate); FRUTONILE (2-methyldecanenitrile); GALBANONE PURE (1-(5,5-dimethylcyclohex-1-en-1-yl)penta-4-en-1-one); GARDENOL (1-phenylethyl acetate); GARDOCYCLENE ((3aR,6S,7aS)-3a,4,5,6,7,7a-hexahydro-1H-4,7-methanoinden-6-yl 2-methylpropanoate); GERANIOL ((E)-3,7-dimethylocta-2,6-dien-1-ol); GERANYL ACETATE ((E)-3,7-dimethylocta-2,6-dien-1-yl acetate); GERANYL CROTONATE ((E)-3,7-dimethylocta-2,6-dien-1-yl but-2-enoate); GERANYL ISOBUTYRATE ((E)-3,7-dimethylocta-2,6-dien-1-yl 2-methylpropanoate); GIVESCONE (ethyl 2-ethyl-6,6-dimethylcyclohex-2-ene carboxylate); HABANOLIDE ((E)-oxacyclohexadec-12-en-2-one); HEDIONE (methyl 3-oxo-2-pentylcyclopentaneacetate); HELIOTROPINE CRYSTALS (benzod][1,3]dioxole-5-carbaldehyde); HERBANATE ((2S)-ethyl 3-isopropylbicyclo[2.2.1]hepta-5-ene-2-carboxylate); HEXENAL-2-TRANS ((E)-hex-2-enal); HEXENOL-3-CIS ((Z)-hex-3-en-1-ol); HEXENYL-3-CIS ACETATE ((Z)-hex-3-en-1-yl acetate); HEXENYL-3-CIS BUTYRATE ((Z)-hex-3-en-1-yl butanoate);HEXENYL-3-CIS ISOBUTYRATE ((Z)-hex-3-en-1-yl 2-methylpropanoate); HEXENYL-3-CIS SALICYLATE ((Z)-hex-3-en-1-yl 2-hydroxybenzoate); HEXYL ACETATE (hexyl acetate); HEXYL BENZOATE (hexyl benzoate); HEXYL BUTYRATE (hexyl butanoate); HEXYL CINNAMIC ALDEHYDE ((E)-2-benzylideneoctanal); HEXYL ISOBUTYRATE (hexyl 2-methylpropanoate); HEXYL SALICYLATE (hexyl 2-hydroxybenzoate); HYDROXYCITRONELLAL (7-hydroxy-3,7-dimethyloctanal); INDOFLOR (4,4a,5,9b-tetrahydroindeno[1,2-d][1,3]dioxin); INDOLE PURE (1H-indole); INDOLENE (8,8-di(1H-indol-3-yl)-2,6-dimethyloctan-2-ol); IONONE BETA ((E)-4-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-1-en-1-yl)but-3-en-2-one); IRISANTHEME ((E)-3-methyl-4-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclocyclohex-2-en-1-yl)but-3-en-2-one); IRISONE ALPHA ((E)-4-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-2-en-1-yl)but-3-en-2-one); IRONE ALPHA ((E)-4-(2,5,6,6-tetramethylcyclohex-2-en-1-yl)but-3-en-2-one); ISO E SUPER (1-(2,3,8,8-tetramethyl-1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octahydronaphthalen-2-yl)ethanone); ISOAMYL ACETATE (3-methylbutyl acetate); ISOAMYL BUTYRATE (3-methylbutyl butanoate); ISOBUTYL METHOXY PYRAZINE (2-methylpropyl 3-methoxypyrazine); ISOCYCLOCITRAL (2,4,6-trimethylcyclohex-3-ene-1-carbaldehyde);ISOEUGENOL ((E)-2-methoxy-4-(prop-1-en-1-yl)phenol); ISOJASMONE B 11 (2-hexylcyclopent-2-en-1-one); ISOMENTHONE DL (2-isopropyl-5-methylcyclohexanone); ISONONYL ACETATE (3,5,5-trimethylhexyl acetate); ISOPROPYL METHYL-2-BUTYRATE (isopropyl 2-methylbutanoate); ISOPROPYL QUINOLINE (6-isopropylquinoline); ISORALDEINE ((E)-3-methyl-4-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-2-en-1-yl)but-3-en-2-one); JASMACYCLENE ((3aR,6S,7aS)-3a,4,5,6,7,7a-hexahydro-1H-4,7-methanoinden-6-yl acetate); JASMONE CIS ((Z)-3-methyl-2-(pent-2-en-1-yl)cyclopent-2-enone); JASMONYL (3-butyl-5-methyltetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-yl acetate); JASMOPYRANE FORTE (3-pentyltetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-yl acetate); JAVANOL ((1-methyl-2-((1,2,2-trimethylbicyclo[3.1.0]hexan-3-yl)methyl)cyclopropyl)methanol); KOAVONE ((Z)-3,4,5,6,6-pentamethylhepta-3-en-2-one); LAITONE (8-isopropyl-1-oxaspiro[4.5]decan-2-one); LEAF ACETAL ((Z)-1-(1-ethoxyethoxy)hex-3-ene); LIFFAROME ((Z)-hex-3-en-1-yl methyl carbonate); LILIAL (3-(4-(tert-butyl)phenyl)-2-methylpropanal); #N / ALINALOOL (3,7-dimethylocta-1,6-dien-3-ol); LINALOOL OXIDE (2-(5-methyl-5-vinyltetrahydrofuran-2-yl)propan-2-ol); LINALYL ACETATE (3,7-dimethylocta-1,6-dien-3-yl acetate); MAHONIAL ((4E)-9-hydroxy-5,9-dimethyl-4-decenal);MALTOL (3-Hydroxy-2-methyl-4H-pyran-4-one); MALTYL ISOBUTYRATE (2-Methyl-4-oxo-4H-pyran-3-yl 2-methylpropanoate); MANZANATE (Ethyl 2-methylpentanoate); MAYOL ((4-Isopropylcyclohexyl)methanol); MEFROSOL (3-Methyl-5-phenylpentan-1-ol); MELONAL (2,6-Dimethylhepta-5-enal); #N / A#N / AMERCAPTO-8-METHANE-3-ONE (Mercapto-p-menthan-3-one); METHYL ANTHRANILATE (Methyl 2-aminobenzoate); METHYL BENZOATE (Methyl benzoate); METHYL CEDRYL KETONE (1-((1S,8aS)-1,4,4,6-Tetramethyl-2,3,3a,4,5,8-hexahydro-1H-5,8a-methanoazulen-7-yl)ethanone); METHYL CINNAMATE (Methyl 3-phenylprop-2-enoate); METHYL DIANTILIS (2-Ethoxy-4-(methoxymethyl)phenol); METHYL DIHYDRO ISOJASMONATE (Methyl 2-hexyl-3-oxocyclopentane-1-carboxylate); METHYL HEPTENONE PURE (6-Methylhepta-5-en-2-one); METHYL LAITONE (8-Methyl-1-oxaspiro[4.5]decan-2-one); METHYL NONYL KETONE (Undecan-2-one); METHYL OCTYNE CARBONATE (Methyl non-2-ynoate); METHYL PAMPLEMOUSSE (6,6-Dimethoxy-2,5,5-trimethylhex-2-ene); METHYL SALICYLATE (Methyl 2-hydroxybenzoate); MUSCENONE ((Z)-3-Methylcyclopentadeca-5-enone); MYRALDENE (4-(4-Methylpent-3-en-1-yl)cyclohex-3-ene-1-carbaldehyde); MYRCENE (7-Methyl-3-methylideneocta-1,6-diene); MYSTIKAL (2-Methylundecanoic acid); NECTARYL (2-(2-(4-Methylcyclohex-3-en-1-yl)propyl)cyclopentanone);Neobergamate Forte (2-Methyl-6-methyleneoct-7-en-2-yl acetate); Neocaspirene Extra (10-Isopropyl-2,7-dimethyl-1-oxaspiro[4.5]deca-3,6-diene); Neofolone ((E)-Methyl non-2-enoate); Nerolex ((2Z)-3,7-Dimethylocta-2,6-dien-1-ol); Nerolidol ((Z)-3,7,11-Trimethyldodeca-1,6,10-trien-3-ol); Nerolidyle ((Z)-3,7,11-Trimethyldodeca-1,6,10-trien-3-yl acetate); Neroline Crystals (2-Ethoxynaphthalene); Nerolone (1-(3-Methylbenzofuran-2-yl)ethanone); Neryl Acetate ((Z)-3,7-Dimethylocta-2,6-dien-1-yl acetate); Nirvanolide ((E)-13-Methyloxacyclopentadeca-10-en-2-one); Nonadienal ((2E,6Z)-Non-2,6-dienal); Nonadienol-2,6 ((2Z,6E)-2,6-Nonadien-1-ol); Nonadyl (6,8-Dimethylnonan-2-ol); Nonalactone Gamma (5-Pentyloxolan-2-one); Nonenal-6-Cis ((Z)-Non-6-enal); Nonenol-6-Cis ((Z)-Non-6-en-1-ol); Nopyl Acetate (2-(6,6-Dimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]hepta-2-en-2-yl)ethyl acetate); Nymphaeal (3-(4-(2-Methylpropyl)-2-methylphenyl)propanal); Octalactone Delta (6-Propyltetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-one); Methyl Hexyl Ketone (Octan-2-one); Oranger Crystals (1-(2-Naphthalenyl)-ethanone); Orivone (4-(tert-Pentyl)cyclohexanone); Pandanol ((2-Methoxyethyl)benzene); Para tert Butyl Cyclohexyl Acetate (4-(tert-Butyl)cyclohexyl acetate);PARADISAMIDE (2-ethyl-N-methyl-N-(m-tolyl)butanamide); PEACH PURE (5-heptyldihydrofuran-2(3H)-one); PELARGENE (2-methyl-4-methylene-6-phenyltetrahydro-2H-pyran); PELARGOL (3,7-dimethyloctan-1-ol); PEONILE (2-cyclohexylidene-2-phenylacetonitrile); PETALIA (2-cyclohexylidene-2-(o-tolyl)acetonitrile); PHARAONE (2-cyclohexylhepta-1,6-dien-3-one); PHENOXY ETHYL ISOBUTYRATE (2-(phenoxy)ethyl 2-methylpropanoate); PHENYL ACETALDEHYDE (2-phenyl-ethanal); PHENYL ETHYL ACETATE (2-phenylethyl acetate); PHENYL ETHYL ALCOHOL (2-phenylethanol); PHENYL ETHYL ISOBUTYRATE (2-phenylethyl 2-methylpropanoate); PHENYL ETHYL PHENYL ACETATE (2-phenylethyl 2-phenylacetate); PHENYL PROPYL ALCOHOL (3-phenylpropan-1-ol); PINENE ALPHA (2,6,6-trimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]hept-2-ene); PINENE BETA (6,6-dimethyl-2-methylenebicyclo[3.1.1]heptane); PINOACETALDEHYDE (3-(6,6-dimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]hept-2-en-2-yl)propanal); PIVAROSE (2,2-dimethyl-2-phenylethyl propanoate); POMAROSE ((2E,5E)-5,6,7-trimethylocta-2,5-dien-4-one); POMELOL (2,4,7-trimethyl-6-octen-1-ol); PRECYCLEMONE B (1-methyl-4-(4-methylpenta-3-en-1-yl)cyclohex-3-encarbaldehyde); PRENYL ACETATE (3-methylbut-2-en-1-yl acetate); PRUNOLIDE (5-pentyldihydrofuran-2(3H)-one);RADJANOL SUPER ((E)-2-ethyl-4-(2,2,3-trimethylcyclopent-3-en-1-yl)but-2-en-1-ol); RASPBERRY KETONE (4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)butan-2-one); RHUBAFURAN (2,4-dimethyl-4-phenyltetrahydrofuran); ROSACETOL (2,2,2-trichloro-1-phenylethyl acetate); ROSALVA (deca-9-en-1-ol); ROSE OXIDE (4-methyl-2-(2-methyl; (4-methyl-2-(2-methylprop-1-en-1-yl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran); ROSE OXIDE CO(4-methyl-2-(2-methylprop-1-en-1-yl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran); ROSYFOLIA(1-methyl-2-(5-methylhex-4-en-2-yl)cyclopropylmethanol); ROSYRANE SUPER(4-methylenetetrahydro-2H-pyran); SAFRALEINE(2,3,3-trimethyl-1-indanone); SAFRANAL(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohexa-1,3-dienecarbaldehyde); SANDALORE EXTRA(3-methyl-5-(2,2,3-trimethylcyclopent-3-en-1-yl)pentan-2-ol); SCENTAURUS CLEAN((Z)-ethyl 2-acetyl-4-methyltridec-2-enoate); SCENTAURUS JUICY(4-(dodecylthio)-4-methylpentan-2-one); SERENOLIDE(2-(1-(3,3-dimethylcyclohexyl)ethoxy)-2-methylpropylcyclopropanecarboxylate); SILVANONE SUPRA(cyclopentadecanone, hexadecanolide); SILVIAL(2-methyl-3-[4-(2-methylpropyl)phenyl]propanal); SPIROGALBANONE(1-(spiro[4.5]deca-6-en-7-yl)penta-4-en-1-one); STEMONE((E)-5-methylheptan-3-one oxime); STYRALLYL ACETATE(1-phenylethyl acetate); SUPER MUGUET((E)-6-ethyl-3-methylocta-6-en-1-ol); SYLKOLIDE((E)-2-((3,5-dimethylhex-3-en-2-yl)oxy)-2-methylpropylcyclopropanecarboxylate); TERPINENE ALPHA(1-methyl-4-propan-2-ylcyclohexa-1,3-diene); TERPINENE GAMMA(1-methyl-4-propan-2-ylcyclohexa-1,4-diene); TERPINEOL(2-(4-methylcyclohex-3-en-1-yl)propan-2-ol); TERPINEOL ALPHA(2-(4-methyl-1-cyclohex-3-enyl)propan-2-ol);TERPINEOL PURE (2-(4-methylcyclohex-3-en-1-yl)propan-2-ol); TERPINOLENE (1-methyl-4-(propan-2-ylidene)cyclohex-1-ene); TERPINYL ACETATE (2-(4-methyl-1-cyclohex-3-enyl)propan-2-yl acetate); TETRAHYDRO LINALOOL (3,7-dimethyloctan-3-ol); TETRAHYDRO MYRCENOL (2,6-dimethyloctan-2-ol); THIBETOLIDE (oxacyclohexadecan-2-one); THYMOL (2-isopropyl-5-methylphenol); TOSCANOL (1-(cyclopropylmethyl)-4-methoxybenzene); TRICYCLAL (2,4-dimethylcyclohex-3-ene-1-carbaldehyde); TRIDECENE-2-NITRILE ((E)-tridec-2-enenitrile); TRIFERNAL (3-phenylbutanal); TROPIONAL (3-(benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-yl)-2-methylpropanal); TROPIONAL (3-(benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-yl)-2-methylpropanal); UNDECATRIENE ((3E,5Z)-undeca-1,3,5-triene); UNDECAVERTOL ((E)-4-methyldec-3-en-5-ol); VANILLIN (4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde); VELOUTONE (2,2,5-trimethyl-5-pentylcyclopentanone); VELVIONE ((Z)-cyclohexadeca-5-enone); VIOLET NITRILE ((2E,6Z)-nona-2,6-dienenitrile); YARA YARA (2-methoxynaphthalene); ZINARINE (2-(2,4-dimethylcyclohexyl)pyridine); BOIS CEDRE ESS CHINE (cedarwood oil); EUCALYPTUS GLOBULUS ESS CHINA (eucalyptus oil); GALBANUM ESS (galbanum oil); GIROFLE FEUILLES ESS RECT MADAGASCAR (clove oil); LAVANDIN GROSSO OIL FRANCE ORPUR (lavandin oil);MANDARIN OIL WASHED COSMOS (mandarin oil); ORANGE TERPENES (orange terpenes); PATCHOULI ESS INDONESIE (patchouli oil); and YLANG ECO ESSENCE (ylang oil). These fragrance components are particularly suitable for obtaining stable and performance - exhibiting microcapsules due to their advantageous lipophilicity and olfactory properties.

[0091] At least one fragrance component may also contain at least one fragrance precursor (a material that enables the release of the fragrance component by means of stimuli such as temperature change, presence of an oxidizing agent, action of an enzyme, or action of light). Such fragrance precursors are well - known in the art.

[0092] Functional material Functional materials suitable for incorporation into the core of core - shell microcapsules in addition to the fragrance component include flavor components, cosmetic components, bioactive agents (such as bactericides, insect repellents, and pheromones), substrate enhancers (such as silicones and brighteners), enzymes (such as lipases and proteases), dyes, pigments, and dietary supplements.

[0093] At least one functional material may also contain at least one functional cosmetic component. Functional cosmetic components for use in encapsulated compositions are preferably hydrophobic. Preferably, the cosmetic component has a calculated octanol / water partition coefficient (ClogP) value of 1.5 or more, more preferably 3 or more. Alternatively preferably, the ClogP of the cosmetic component is between 2 and 7.

[0094] Specifically useful functional cosmetic ingredients may be selected from the group consisting of emollients, smoothing ingredients, hydrating ingredients, soothing and relaxing ingredients, decoration ingredients, deodorants, anti-aging ingredients, cell rejuvenating ingredients, draining ingredients, remodeling ingredients, skin leveling ingredients, preservatives, antioxidants, antibacterial or bacteriostatic ingredients, cleansing ingredients, lubricating ingredients, structuring ingredients, hair conditioning ingredients, whitening ingredients, texture ingredients, softening ingredients, dandruff prevention ingredients, and keratolytic ingredients.

[0095] Specifically useful functional cosmetic ingredients include, but are not limited to, the following: hydrophobic polymers such as alkyldimethylsiloxane, polymethylsilsesquioxane, polyethylene, polyisobutylene, styrene-ethylene-styrene and styrene-butylene-styrene block copolymers; mineral oils such as hydrogenated isoparaffin, silicone oil; vegetable oils such as argan oil, jojoba oil, aloe vera oil; fatty acids and fatty alcohols and their esters; glycolipids; phospholipids; sphingolipids such as ceramides; sterols and steroids; terpenes, sesquiterpenes, triterpenes and their derivatives; essential oils such as sandalwood oil such as Fusanus Spicatus kernel oil, panthenyl triacetate, tocopheryl acetate, tocopherol, naringenin, ethyl linoleate, farnesyl acetate, farnesol, citronellyl methylcrotonate, and ceramide-2 (1-stearoyl-C18-sphingosine, CAS No.: 100403-19-8).

[0096] In particular, at least one functional cosmetic ingredient may be selected from the group consisting of sandalwood oil such as Fusanus Spicatus kernel oil, panthenyl triacetate, tocopheryl acetate, tocopherol, naringenin, ethyl linoleate, farnesyl acetate, farnesol, citronellyl methylcrotonate, and ceramide-2 (1-stearoyl-C18-sphingosine, CAS No.: 100403-19-8).

[0097] At least one functional material may include an agent that suppresses or reduces malodor and its perception by adsorbing odors, an agent that provides a heating or cooling effect, an insect repellent, or a UV absorber.

[0098] In the microcapsule composition according to the present invention, the proportion of the functional material can be about 10 to about 99 wt.-%, preferably about 50 to about 95 wt.-%, more preferably about 70 to about 90 wt.-% based on the total weight of the solid content of the microcapsule composition.

[0099] In the present invention, the solid content is measured using a thermobalance operating at 120°C. When the weight change rate induced by drying decreased below 0.1% / min, the solid content represented as the weight percentage of the initial microcapsule composition deposited on the balance was obtained.

[0100] Monovalent and / or divalent inorganic salts Surprisingly and unexpectedly, adding a monovalent and / or divalent inorganic salt to a plurality of core-shell microcapsules comprising a core containing at least one fragrance material and a shell encapsulating the core (where the core-shell microcapsules correspond to about 25 wt% to about 50 wt%, preferably about 30 wt% to about 40 wt% of the composition); and a microcapsule composition in the form of a slurry containing an aqueous phase (where the conductivity of the resulting microcapsule composition in the form of a slurry is higher than about 5000 μS / cm) results in a microcapsule composition in the form of a slurry that shows no signs of microcapsule aggregation and passes through a sieve of a size about 2 to 3 times the volume average diameter (Dv50) of the microcapsules without clogging the sieve when diluted with water.

[0101] In one aspect, the monovalent and / or divalent inorganic salt is selected from the group consisting of lithium salts, sodium salts, potassium salts, calcium salts, magnesium salts, ammonium salts, and mixtures thereof. In one aspect, the monovalent and / or divalent inorganic salt is a chloride salt, a sulfate salt, a carbonate salt, a bicarbonate salt, or a mixture thereof, preferably where the monovalent and / or divalent salt is a chloride salt.

[0102] In one aspect, the monovalent and / or divalent inorganic salt is calcium chloride or magnesium chloride, preferably calcium chloride. In one aspect, the monovalent and / or divalent inorganic salt is completely soluble in the aqueous phase.

[0103] In one aspect, the concentration of the monovalent and / or divalent inorganic salt is 0.01 wt.-% to 2.0 wt.-% with respect to the solvent-free microcapsule slurry. Optionally, the concentration of the monovalent and / or divalent inorganic salt is 0.1 wt.-% to 1.5 wt.-% with respect to the solvent-free microcapsule slurry. Optionally, the concentration of the monovalent and / or divalent inorganic salt is 0.15 wt.-% to 1.0 wt.-%, optionally 0.2 wt.-% to 0.8 wt.-% with respect to the microcapsule slurry.

[0104] In one aspect, the concentration of the monovalent and / or divalent inorganic salt depends on the nature of the monovalent and / or divalent inorganic salt. In one aspect, the concentration of calcium chloride is higher than about 0.3% wt.-% with respect to the microcapsule slurry. In one aspect, the concentration of the monovalent and / or divalent inorganic salt depends on the nature of the shell of the microcapsule.

[0105] In one aspect, the microcapsule composition in the form of a slurry comprises a plurality of core-shell microcapsules, which comprises a core containing at least one fragrance component, wherein the shell comprises a hydrated polymer and a polymeric stabilizer formed by the reaction of an aminosilane and a polyfunctional isocyanate, wherein the hydrated polymer is a core selevate, especially a composite core selevate, optionally a composite core selevate formed from a polycation and a polyanion, wherein the core-shell microcapsules correspond to about 28 wt% to about 34 wt%, preferably about 32 wt% of the composition; and an aqueous phase, wherein the aqueous phase contains monovalent and / or divalent inorganic salts at a concentration of 0.1 wt.-% to 1.0 wt.-% with respect to the microcapsule composition, wherein the aqueous phase corresponds to about 62 wt% to about 68 wt% of the total weight of the slurry.

[0106] In one aspect, the inorganic salt is calcium chloride. In one aspect, the concentration of calcium chloride is higher than about 0.3% wt.-% with respect to the microcapsule slurry. The conductivity of the microcapsule composition in the resulting slurry form is higher than about 5000 μS / cm.

[0107] In one aspect, the water is deionized water or tap water. In one aspect, the microcapsule composition may further comprise water, optionally deionized water, wherein the volume ratio of the microcapsule composition to the water is from 1 to greater than about 0.5.

[0108] In one aspect, the volume ratio of the microcapsule composition to water, optionally deionized water, is from 1 to about 0.5. In one aspect, the volume ratio of the microcapsule composition to water, optionally deionized water, is from 1 to about 1. In one aspect, the volume ratio of the microcapsule composition to water, optionally deionized water, is from 1 to about 2. In one aspect, the volume ratio of the microcapsule composition to water, optionally deionized water, is from 1 to about 4. In one aspect, the volume ratio of the microcapsule composition to water, optionally deionized water, is from 1 to about 6. In one aspect, the volume ratio of the microcapsule composition to water, optionally deionized water, is less than about 10. In one aspect, the conductivity of the microcapsule composition, further comprising water, optionally deionized water, is greater than about 2100 μS / cm.

[0109] Method The present invention further provides a method for making a microcapsule composition as defined above herein, the method comprising the following steps: a) providing a microcapsule composition in the form of a slurry comprising a plurality of core-shell microcapsules comprising a core comprising at least one fragrance component and a shell encapsulating the core, wherein the core-shell microcapsules correspond to about 25 wt% to about 50 wt%, preferably about 30 wt% to about 40 wt% of the composition; b) optionally adding water to the microcapsule composition of step a), wherein the volume ratio of the microcapsule composition of step a) to water is from 1 to greater than about 0.5; c) adding a monovalent and / or divalent inorganic salt to the microcapsule composition of step a) or step b); and d) optionally adding water to the microcapsule composition resulting from step c), wherein the volume ratio of the microcapsule composition resulting from step c) to water is from 1 to greater than about 0.5; wherein when step b) is not performed, the conductivity of the microcapsule composition resulting after step c) is greater than about 5000 μS / cm; optionally here, the conductivity of the microcapsule composition resulting from step d) is greater than about 2100 μS / cm.

[0110] The core-shell microcapsules and the monovalent and / or divalent inorganic salts are as defined above herein. Optionally, the water is deionized water.

[0111] The monovalent and / or divalent inorganic salts are added to the slurry provided in step a) in an amount such that the conductivity of the resulting microcapsule composition is higher than about 5000 μS / cm.

[0112] In one embodiment, the monovalent and / or divalent inorganic salts are added to the microcapsule composition provided in step a) in an amount such that the concentration of the resulting monovalent and / or divalent inorganic salts is from 0.01 wt.-% to 2.0 wt.-% based on the solvent-free slurry of the microcapsules provided in undiluted step a). Optionally, the concentration of the monovalent and / or divalent inorganic salts is from 0.1 wt.-% to 1.5 wt.-% based on the slurry of the microcapsules provided in step a). Optionally, the concentration of the monovalent and / or divalent inorganic salts is from 0.15 wt.-% to 1.0 wt.-%, optionally from 0.2 wt.-% to 0.8 wt.-%.

[0113] In one embodiment, the microcapsule composition is optionally further diluted by adding water, wherein the volume ratio of the microcapsule composition to the water is from 1 to greater than about 0.5. In one embodiment, the conductivity of the microcapsule composition further containing water is higher than about 2100 μS / cm.

[0114] In one embodiment, the microcapsule composition provided in step a) is first diluted by adding water, wherein the volume ratio of the microcapsule composition to the water is from 1 to greater than about 0.5 before adding the monovalent and / or divalent inorganic salts. In one embodiment, the conductivity of the microcapsule composition containing water is higher than about 2100 μS / cm.

[0115] A method for preventing flocculation of a microcapsule composition as defined herein is provided, wherein a monovalent and / or divalent inorganic salt is added to a microcapsule composition in the form of a slurry comprising a plurality of core-shell microcapsules comprising a core comprising at least one fragrance component and a shell encapsulating the core (wherein the core-shell microcapsules correspond to about 25 wt% to about 50 wt%, preferably about 30 wt% to about 40 wt% of the composition), and an aqueous phase; and wherein the conductivity of the microcapsule composition is higher than about 5000 μS / cm.

[0116] In one aspect, the salt is added as an aqueous solution to a microcapsule composition in the form of a slurry comprising a plurality of core-shell microcapsules comprising a core comprising at least one functional material and a shell encapsulating the core.

[0117] In one aspect, the salt is added as a solid to a microcapsule composition in the form of a slurry comprising a plurality of core-shell microcapsules comprising a core comprising at least one functional material and a shell encapsulating the core.

[0118] In yet another aspect, the use of a monovalent and / or divalent inorganic salt for preventing flocculation in a microcapsule composition as defined herein is provided.

[0119] Consumer product Another aspect of the present invention provides a consumer product comprising a microcapsule composition as described herein. The consumer product may be selected from the group consisting of home care, personal care, fabric care, and pet care products. Suitable home care products include hard surface cleaners, heavy duty detergents and detergent powders, and air care compositions.

[0120] Suitable personal care products include cleaning compositions (such as shampoos, bath and shower gels, liquid soaps, solid soaps, etc.), conditioning compositions (such as hair care conditioners, etc.), bath and shower lotions, oral care compositions, deodorant compositions, antiperspirant compositions, and skin care products. Suitable fabric care compositions include laundry care detergents, laundry care conditioners, fabric refreshers, and fragrance boosters.

[0121] The composition encapsulated according to the present invention is particularly useful when used as a fragrance delivery vehicle in consumer products that require the microcapsules to adhere well to the substrate to which they are applied in order to deliver optimal fragrance benefits. Such consumer products include hair shampoos and conditioners, as well as fabric treatment products, such as laundry detergents and conditioners.

[0122] The encapsulated composition of the present invention, presented in the form of a slurry of microcapsules suspended in an aqueous suspension medium, may be incorporated directly into the base of a consumer product. The present invention is further illustrated by the following non-limiting examples.

[0123] Example The volume median diameter Dv(50) of the microcapsules was measured by static light scattering with laser diffraction particle size analysis using a Malvern Mastersizer 2000S particle size analyzer. The conductivity was measured at 25 °C using a SevenMulti pH conductivity meter.

[0124] Example 1.1: Microcapsule slurry preparation (S1) The microcapsule slurry was prepared according to the modified method disclosed in Example 1 of WO 2023 / 020883A1, shown below: a) A core composition was prepared by mixing 0.7 g of a bifunctional aminosilane (bis(3-triethoxysilylpropyl)amine), 50 g of Takenate D-110N (manufactured by Mitsui), and 39 g of a fragrance composition; b) The core composition obtained in step a) was emulsified in a mixture of 1.0 g of highly methoxylated grade pectin (type APA 104, manufactured by Roeper) in 73 g of water using a pitched beam crossbeam stirrer operating at 600 rpm and a temperature of 25 °C for 10 minutes in a 300 ml reactor. c) While maintaining stirring as in step b), the temperature of the system was raised to 85 °C over 4 hours, 0.3 g of trimesic acid (1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid) was added, and the system was maintained at this temperature for 1.5 h; d) While maintaining stirring as in step b), the system was slowly cooled to 40 °C; e) While maintaining stirring as in step b), a 10% gelatin solution in 10 g of water was added at a temperature of 40 °C; f) While maintaining stirring as in step b), the system was slowly cooled to 10 °C; g) The slurry of core-shell capsules obtained in step f) was finally stabilized at room temperature.

[0125] The solid content of the resulting slurry was 33 wt.-%, the volume median size (d50) of the capsules was 32 μm, and the encapsulation efficiency was 99%.

[0126] Example 1.2: Microcapsule slurry preparation (S2) The microcapsule slurry was prepared according to the method disclosed in WO 2021 / 213930A1. The shell of these capsules contains a resin formed by the reaction of at least one trifunctional aromatic aliphatic isocyanate and at least one partially alkylated aminoaldehyde pre-condensate. The solid content of the resulting slurry was 43 wt.-%, the volume average size (d50) of the capsules was 10 μm, and the encapsulation efficiency was 100%.

[0127] Example 1.3: Microcapsule slurry preparation (S3) The microcapsule slurry was prepared according to the method disclosed in WO 2017 / 001672 A1. The shell of these capsules contains a network of cross-linked aminoplast resin, where 75 - 100 wt% of the resin contains 50 - 90 wt% of a terpolymer and 10 - 50 wt% of a polymeric stabilizer; the terpolymer contains: (a) A 20 - 35 wt% portion derived from at least one triamine, (b) A 30 - 60 wt% portion derived from at least one diamine, (c) A 20 - 35 wt% portion derived from a group consisting of alkylene and alkeneoxy moieties having 1 - 6 methylene units. The volume median size (d50) of the capsules was 25 μm.

[0128] Example 2: Results of conductivity measurement, dilution, and filtration 2.1. Solvent-free slurry The conductivity measurements of slurries S1, S2, and S3 are shown in Table 1.

Table 1

[0129] 2.2.1: Dilution with water at a ratio of 1:2 (volume measurement) Slurries S1, S2, and S3 were diluted with deionized water (DI) at a ratio (volume) of slurry S:DI water = 1:2, and the conductivity and behavior of the diluted slurries when passed through a 75-μm sieve are shown in Table 2 (entries 3 - S1, 5 - S2, and 6 - S3). For completeness, the conductivities of tap water and DI water were also recorded (entries 1 and 2, respectively). It can be observed that the diluted slurry S1 with a conductivity of 900 μS / cm (entry 3) clogged the sieve, while the diluted slurry S2 with a conductivity of 3800 μS / cm (entry 5) passed through the sieve without leaving any residue. Similar to S1, the diluted slurry S3 with a conductivity of 1500 μS / cm (entry 6) also clogged the sieve.

[0130] Therefore, there is a relationship between the conductivity of the solvent - free slurry and the behavior of the slurry diluted with water with respect to a sieve sized 2 - 3 times the size of the microcapsules.

[0131] Since tap water is known to have a higher conductivity than DI water due to the presence of trace amounts of salts, subsequently, the solvent - free slurry S1 was diluted with tap water at a ratio (volume) of S1:tap water = 1:2. The conductivity and behavior of the slurry diluted with tap water when passed through a 75 - μm sieve are shown in Table 2 (entry 4). As expected, the conductivity of the slurry S1 diluted with tap water was higher than that of the slurry S1 diluted with DI water (1300 μS / cm vs. 900 μS / cm), but the slurry diluted with tap water also did not completely pass through the 75 - μm sieve without leaving any residue on the sieve.

[0132] When 100 g of S1 (Entry 3) diluted with deionized water was filtered through a 75 μm sieve, 85 g of dry microcapsules were recovered from the sieve. However, the amount of residue observed on the sieve after passing the slurry S1 diluted with tap water was less than the amount of residue observed after passing the slurry diluted with DI water. Subsequently, various monovalent and / or divalent inorganic salts were added as solids to the slurry S1 diluted with deionized water as described above (Entries 7 - 10), and the conductivity of the diluted slurry was measured. The diluted slurries were passed through a 75 μm sieve, and their behavior was recorded.

Table 2

[0133] Dilution of slurry S1 with deionized water at a slurry:DI water = 1:2 ratio, followed by addition of various inorganic salts (Entries 7 - 10), resulted in a significant increase in the conductivity of the diluted slurry, and the diluted slurry passed through a 75 μm sieve without leaving residue on the sieve.

[0134] For example, 100 g of slurry S1 was diluted with 200 g of deionized water. 0.5 g of MgCl2 was added to the diluted slurry with stirring. Stirring was carried out for 10 minutes (Entry 9). The diluted slurry was filtered through a 75 μm sieve. Less than 5 g of residue was recovered from the sieve.

[0135] In another set of experiments, solid calcium chloride was added in various amounts to slurries S1 and S3 with stirring (Table 3). The conductivity of the resulting slurries was measured. Subsequently, each of the slurries was diluted with DI water at a slurry:DI water = 1:2 ratio (volume). The diluted slurries were passed through a 75 μm sieve, and their behavior on the sieve was recorded.

Table 3

[0136] To the slurry prepared as in Example 1.1 (S1), various amounts (Entries 1 - 4, upper row) of solid calcium chloride were added while stirring until the salt was completely dissolved. The conductivity of the slurry increased compared to the solvent - free slurry S1 (2600 μS / cm, Table 1, Entry 1).

[0137] As expected, subsequent dilution of the salt - containing slurries with DI water (Entries 1 - 4, lower row) resulted in an increase in the conductivity of the diluted slurries compared to the conductivity of the slurry S1 diluted with only DI water at a ratio of 2:1 (900 μS / cm, Table 2, Entry 3).

[0138] Similarly, to slurry S3, 0.5 wt% of solid calcium chloride (Entry 5, upper row) was added. In this case, when 0.5% of CaCl2 was present in the slurry, the conductivity of the slurry increased from 4800 μS / cm (solvent - free S3, Table 1, Entry 3) to 9100 μS / cm. Dilution of this slurry with DI water (1:2) resulted in a diluted slurry having a significantly higher conductivity (3900 μS / cm) than the 1:2 diluted slurry S3 (1500 μS / cm, Table 2, Entry 6).

[0139] From Table 3, it can be observed that subsequent dilution of the slurries containing the added salt with DI water at a salt - added slurry:DI = 1:2 ratio results in conductivity - dependent behavior when the diluted slurry is passed through a 75 - μm sieve. The conductivity of the diluted slurry lower than about 2000 μS / cm is insufficient for the slurry to pass through the 75 - μm sieve without clogging.

[0140] 2.3. Dilution with water at various ratios Slurry S1 having a conductivity of 8700 μS / cm with 0.5 wt% CaCl₂ added (shown again in Table 3, entry 4, top row, Table 4, entry 1) was diluted with DI water at various ratios. Similarly, slurry S3 having a conductivity of 9100 μS / cm with 0.5 wt% CaCl₂ added (shown again in Table 3, entry 5, top row, Table 4, entry 6) was diluted with DI water at various ratios.

[0141] The conductivity of the resulting diluted slurries was measured, and the diluted slurries were passed through a 75 μm sieve, and their behavior on the sieve was recorded (Table 4).

Table 4

[0142] These results confirm that a diluted slurry containing the added salt and diluted with water in a ratio of about 1: greater than about 0.5 requires a conductivity of at least about 2100 μS / cm to pass through a 75 μm sieve without clogging it.

[0143] It can also be concluded that when diluted in a ratio of about 1: greater than about 0.5, the conductivity of the undiluted solvent-free slurry containing the added salt needs to be at least about 5000 μS / cm for the diluted slurry to pass through a 75 μm sieve without clogging it.

Claims

1. A microcapsule composition in slurry form, comprising a plurality of core-shell microcapsules each comprising a core containing at least one fragrance component and a shell encapsulating the core, wherein the core-shell microcapsules constitute about 25 wt% to about 50 wt%, preferably about 30 wt% to about 40 wt%, of the composition; and an aqueous phase, wherein the aqueous phase comprises a monovalent and / or divalent inorganic salt; and wherein the conductivity of the microcapsule composition is greater than about 5000 μS / cm.

2. The microcapsule composition according to claim 1, further comprising water (optionally deionized water), wherein the volume ratio of the microcapsule composition according to claim 1 to water is 1 to about 0.5, and preferably the conductivity of the microcapsule composition further comprising water is higher than about 2100 μS / cm.

3. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the microcapsule shell comprises a melamine-formaldehyde polymer; a urea-formaldehyde polymer, polyurea or polyurethane polymer; a polyamide; a polyacrylate; a polycarbonate; a polymeric stabilizer formed by a combination of a polymeric surfactant and at least one aminosilane; a composite coacervate formed by crosslinking at least one protein with a first crosslinking agent and at least one polysaccharide; or a hydrated polymer and polymeric stabilizer formed by the reaction of an aminosilane and a polyfunctional isocyanate; or a polymeric stabilizer formed by a combination of a polymeric surfactant and at least one aminosilane, a hydrocolloid and an epoxy resin-derived linker.

4. The microcapsule shell, a) A complex coacervate formed by crosslinking at least one protein with a first crosslinking agent and at least one polysaccharide; or b) Hydrating polymers and polymeric stabilizers formed by the reaction of aminosilane with polyfunctional isocyanates; or c) A polymeric stabilizer formed by a combination of a polymeric surfactant and at least one linker derived from an aminosilane, hydrocolloid, and epoxy resin. The composition according to claim 1, comprising:

5. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the microcapsule shell comprises a hydrated polymer formed by the reaction of an aminosilane and a polyfunctional isocyanate and a polymeric stabilizer, wherein the hydrated polymer is a coacervate, particularly a composite coacervate, optionally a composite coacervate formed from polycations and polyanions.

6. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the volume-average diameter (Dv50) of the microcapsules is approximately 5 microns to approximately 60 microns, optionally approximately 10 microns to approximately 45 microns, and optionally approximately 25 microns to approximately 40 microns.

7. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the core further comprises a functional material selected from the group consisting of flavor components, cosmetic components, bioactive agents, substrate enhancers, enzymes, dyes and pigments, nutritional supplements, and combinations thereof.

8. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the monovalent and / or divalent inorganic salt is selected from the group consisting of lithium salts, sodium salts, potassium salts, calcium salts, magnesium salts, ammonium salts, and mixtures thereof.

9. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the monovalent and / or divalent inorganic salt is a chloride salt, sulfate salt, carbonate salt, bicarbonate salt, or a mixture thereof, preferably wherein the monovalent and / or divalent salt is a chloride salt, and more preferably wherein the monovalent and / or divalent inorganic salt is calcium chloride.

10. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the concentration of the monovalent and / or divalent inorganic salt is 0.01 wt% to 2.0 wt% relative to the microcapsule composition.

11. A method for producing the composition according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising the following steps: a) To provide a microcapsule composition in slurry form comprising a plurality of core-shell microcapsules, each comprising a core containing at least one fragrance component and a shell that encapsulates the core, wherein the core-shell microcapsules constitute about 25 wt% to about 50 wt%, preferably about 30 wt% to about 40 wt%, of the composition; b) Optionally, add deionized water to the microcapsule composition of step a), where the volume ratio of the microcapsule composition of step a) to the deionized water is 1 to about 0.5; c) Adding monovalent and / or divalent inorganic salts to the microcapsule composition of step a) or step b); and d) Optionally, add deionized water to the microcapsule composition obtained from step c), where the volume ratio of the microcapsule composition obtained from step c) to the deionized water is 1 to about 0.5; Here, if step b) is not performed, the conductivity of the microcapsule composition produced after step c) will be higher than approximately 5000 μS / cm; Optionally, the conductivity of the microcapsule composition resulting from step d) is higher than approximately 2100 μS / cm. The method, including the method described above.

12. A method for preventing flocculation of a microcapsule composition according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein a monovalent and / or divalent inorganic salt is added to a microcapsule composition in the form of a slurry, comprising a plurality of core-shell microcapsules each having a core containing at least one fragrance component and a shell encapsulating the core, wherein the core-shell microcapsules constitute about 25 wt% to about 50 wt%, preferably about 30 wt% to about 40 wt%, of the composition; and an aqueous phase; wherein the conductivity of the microcapsule composition is greater than about 5000 μS / cm.

13. Use of monovalent and / or divalent inorganic salts to prevent flocculation in the microcapsule composition according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

14. A consumer product comprising a microcapsule composition as defined in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the consumer product is optionally selected from the group consisting of home care products, personal care products, fabric care products, and pet care products.