Composition containing biodegradable microcapsules

Abstract

Provided is a microcapsule composition comprising a plurality of microcapsules containing a biodegradable encapsulating material for the delivery of a functional material, which comprises an antibacterial preservation system containing at least one non-dispersive preservative. The composition is resistant to the growth of microorganisms and to microbially mediated early leakage of the functional material during manufacture, distribution, and storage, yet is capable of delivering the functional material in a desired manner when incorporated into consumer products.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a microcapsule composition comprising a plurality of microcapsules containing an encapsulated functional material and a biodegradable encapsulating material. The present invention also relates to the storage of such microcapsule compositions for preventing or reducing the growth of microorganisms, and to the use of an antibacterial storage system for preventing or reducing the premature leakage of the functional material from such microcapsule compositions.

Background Art

[0002] It is known to incorporate encapsulated functional materials, such as fragrances, flavors, cosmetic active ingredients, and substrate enhancers, into consumer products such as household care products, personal care products, and fabric care products in order to improve the consumer experience of those products. Microcapsules are typically presented in the form of so-called core-shell microcapsules. In this form, a core containing an active ingredient is encapsulated within a shell material. However, microcapsules can also typically be presented in the form of monolithic particles containing a functional material dispersed within a matrix of the encapsulating material.

[0003] Core-shell microcapsule compositions are generally provided in the form of a slurry, i.e., a dispersion or suspension of microcapsules in an aqueous medium. Optionally, the slurry can be dried to provide a microcapsule composition in the form of a powder or a cake. Thermosetting resins such as aminoplasts, polyureas, and polyurethane resins, and combinations thereof, are commonly employed as the shell material in the preparation of core-shell microcapsules. They are particularly valuable because they are resistant to the leakage of the functional material when dispersed in an aqueous suspension medium, even in a medium containing a surfactant.

[0004] Antibacterial preservatives are routinely added to core-shell microcapsule compositions based on synthetic thermosetting resins only for the purpose of avoiding the growth of microorganisms that may occur due to inadvertent contamination of microorganisms and their food sources during manufacturing, storage, or distribution. The demand from manufacturers of consumer products for microcapsule compositions is increasing. However, despite the excellent functionality of thermosetting resins, from the perspective of environmental and resource protection, consumers' preference for microcapsule compositions formed from more sustainable materials is increasing, and the use of materials derived from natural sources, especially biopolymers, and more specifically biodegradable biopolymers obtained from natural sources, is being emphasized.

[0005] WO2020 / 131855 discloses a microcapsule composition prepared from guar gum, WO2020 / 131866 discloses a microcapsule composition prepared from polysaccharides, WO2020 / 131875 and WO2020 / 131879 disclose microcapsule compositions prepared from proteins, and WO2020 / 131956 discloses a microcapsule composition derived from hydroxyethyl cellulose. Other biodegradable and / or sustainable source-derived microcapsule compositions disclosed in the patent literature include, but are not limited to, WO2020 / 209908, WO2020 / 209907, WO2020 / 209909, WO2019 / 179939, WO2019 / 243425, and WO2019 / 243426.

Summary of the Invention

[0006] The trend towards the use of sustainable and / or biodegradable materials poses entirely new challenges with regard to the antimicrobial preservation of microcapsule compositions. This is because biodegradable encapsulation materials useful in the manufacture of microcapsules can serve as nutrient sources for microorganisms, catalyze the growth of microorganisms, and ultimately lead to microbe-mediated premature degradation and leakage of the microcapsules. This can be particularly problematic with microcapsule slurries that may contain more than 30% by weight of water, but it can also be a problem with microcapsule compositions in the form of cakes or powders that may still contain significantly high levels of water, up to 10% by weight based on the total weight of the microcapsule composition.

[0007] Effective preservation is of course important for reasons related to the quality and safety of the product, but the Applicant has also discovered that antimicrobial preservation plays an important role in the containment of functional materials and in preventing the release of such functional materials in an uncontrolled or undesirable manner as a result of the microbial degradation of the encapsulation material.

[0008] There remains a need to provide microcapsule compositions, and more particularly such compositions containing microcapsules comprising biodegradable encapsulation materials, which are resistant to microbe-mediated premature leakage of functional materials during their manufacture, distribution and storage, yet which allow the functional materials to be released from the consumer product in a desired manner and which decompose after use to reduce their persistence in the environment.

[0009] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a microcapsule composition comprising a plurality of microcapsules and an aqueous phase comprising an antimicrobial preservation system, wherein the microcapsules comprise a biodegradable encapsulation material encapsulating a functional material, and the antimicrobial preservation system comprises at least one preservative selected from the group consisting of: a. carboxylic acids, hydroxycarboxylic acids and their conjugate bases; b. Hydroxy esters such as lactic acid monoester; c. Alcohols and polyols such as ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, glycerol, sorbitol, more specifically diols, and even more specifically 1,2-diols such as 1,3-butylene glycol, 1,3-propylene glycol, and 1,2-alkyl diols having 2 to 7 carbon atoms; and mixtures thereof; d. Hydroxypyrones and hydroxy lactones such as dehydroacetic acid or glucono delta lactone; e. Phenols, phenol derivatives, and polyphenols such as palmitoyl epigallocatechin-3-gallate (ex-green tea extract) and pyrogallol; f. Formaldehyde releasers such as formaldehyde, imidazolidinyl urea (CAS 39236-46-9), diazolidinyl urea (CAS 78491-02-8), DMDM hydantoin (1,3-bis(hydroxymethyl)-5,5-dimethylimidazolidine-2,4-dione, CAS 6440-58-0), bronopol (2-bromo-2-nitro-1,3-propanediol, (CAS 52-51-7), bronidox (5-bromo-5-nitro-1,3-dioxane, CAS 30007-47-7); g. Nitrogen-containing compositions such as quaternium-15 (1-(3-chloroallyl)-3,5,7-triaza-1-azoniaadamantane chloride, CAS 4080-31-3), benzalkonium chloride (CAS 8001-54-5), methenamine (CAS 100-97-0), caprylic hydroxamic acid, 2-hydroxyethylamine, sodium hydroxymethyl glycine; and more specifically, isothiazolinones and alkaloids such as caffeine, nicotinamide, N,N-diethylnicotinamide, and N,N-dimethylbenzamide; h. Cationic surfactants such as alkylamine salts, for example, alkyl esters of lauramide arginine monohydrochloride; anionic surfactants such as alkylbenzylsulfonates, alkyl sulfates, sulfonates and carboxylates; amphoteric surfactants such as alkylamidobetaines and alkylamidoglycines; nonionic surfactants having a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) of 12 to 20, such as fatty acid monoethanolamides, ethoxylated fatty alcohols and alkyl polyglucosides; and surfactants selected from C1-C8 alkyl ethers and esters of ethylene oxide oligomers and glycerol oligomers, also known as sorbo surfactants; and i. Quaternized or protonated amines such as alkyl esters of lauramide arginine monohydrochloride, alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride (ADBAC), alkyldimethylethylbenzylammonium chloride (ADEBAC), and didecyldimethylammonium chloride (DDAC); and quaternized or protonated amines.

[0010] In a second aspect, the present invention provides the use of an antibacterial preservation system for preventing or reducing premature leakage of an encapsulated functional material from a microcapsule composition comprising a biodegradable encapsulating material. In a third aspect, the present invention provides a method for preventing or reducing premature leakage of an encapsulated functional material from a microcapsule composition comprising a biodegradable encapsulating material, the method comprising the step of adding an antibacterial preservation system to the composition, the antibacterial preservation system comprising at least one of the preservatives listed hereinabove. In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a consumer product incorporating a microcapsule composition as defined herein.

[0011] These and other aspects, embodiments and advantages of the present invention will be described below. The present invention is based on the surprising discovery that when an estimated effective amount of an antibacterial preservative is added to a microcapsule slurry containing a biodegradable encapsulating material and the slurry is subjected to a microbial challenge test with an inoculum of bacteria, yeast or fungi, certain preservatives have been found to be ineffective in appropriately reducing the microbial concentration to an acceptable level, despite the fact that the preservative is known to be effective against the microorganisms contained in the inoculum.

[0012] The problem was even more pronounced when the slurry and cake were contaminated with microorganisms after long-term storage, for example, in a container. As a result, this led to some leakage of the encapsulated functional material from the microcapsules due to the degradation of the microcapsules under the action of these microorganisms. Without wishing to be bound by theory, this phenomenon is thought to be explained by the tendency of certain preservatives to partition from the aqueous continuous phase into the relatively hydrophobic dispersed microcapsule phase. As a result of the partitioning, if the concentration of the preservative in the aqueous phase becomes lower than expected, it may lead to the unwanted growth of microorganisms such as bacteria, yeast, mold and algae if they accidentally get into the microcapsule composition.

[0013] The applicant has found that the stability problem can be overcome by employing an antibacterial preservation system comprising at least one non-partitioning preservative (including but not limited to the above-mentioned preservatives) that remains completely or substantially in the external aqueous phase of the microcapsule composition for a time sufficient to prevent early leakage. The aqueous phase may be in the form of a continuous liquid phase in which the microcapsules are dispersed in slurry form, or may be present in the gaps or voids within the biodegradable encapsulating material.

[0014] The applicant has found that conventional preservatives generally recognized as effective, such as phenoxyethanol, benzoic acid, and p-hydroxybenzoic acid esters, when used alone, cannot prevent the biological contamination of the microcapsule composition over a long period, for example, for more than 1 month, more specifically for more than 3 months, even more specifically for more than 6 months, and even more specifically for more than 12 months. A microcapsule composition containing a biodegradable encapsulation material and such a conventional preservative generally fails the microbial challenge test described herein and is thus prone to early leakage.

[0015] "Early leakage" means leakage that occurs, inter alia, before the microcapsule composition is desired to release its core contents, and more particularly before the composition is incorporated into a consumer product composition, for example, during the manufacture, distribution, or storage of the composition.

[0016] This problem is particularly pronounced under acidic conditions, for example, at a pH below 6, when benzoic acid is used, which is the pH range in which this agent has been considered effective as a conventional preservative. Conversely, a preservation system containing at least one non-distributive preservative can effectively reduce or eliminate the leakage of a microcapsule composition containing a biodegradable encapsulation material in the presence of water. More specifically, the applicant has found that such a preservation system meets the microbial challenge test and provides long-term preservation against biological contamination to prevent microbe-mediated early deterioration and leakage of microcapsules.

[0017] In one aspect of the present invention, the non-distributive preservative is a preservative characterized in that when stored at a temperature of 25 °C for 1 month, less than 25% by weight, more specifically less than 20% by weight, more specifically less than 15% by weight, more specifically less than 10% by weight, and more specifically less than 5% by weight of the preservative added to the aqueous phase of the microcapsule slurry is distributed to the microcapsules.

[0018] The tendency of the preservative towards partitioning can be measured by analytical means known in the art. More specifically, the microcapsules can be separated from the aqueous phase by centrifugation, ultracentrifugation, flotation separation or filtration, and the level of the preservative present in the aqueous phase can be determined by any suitable analytical method such as gas - liquid chromatography, liquid - liquid chromatography and spectroscopy.

[0019] More specifically, an extraction step of separating the preservative from the aqueous phase may be performed before applying a suitable analytical method. Suitable extraction means includes contacting the aqueous phase with a water - immiscible solvent or a supercritical fluid. Alternatively, the microcapsules can be included in a dialysis tube and the tube can be immersed in the aqueous phase containing the preservative, and the system can be equilibrated for any period before determining the level of the preservative in the aqueous phase as described above.

[0020] As described above in this specification, in its first aspect, the present invention provides a microcapsule composition comprising a plurality of microcapsules and an aqueous phase containing an antibacterial preservation system, wherein the microcapsules contain a biodegradable encapsulating material encapsulating a functional material, and the antibacterial preservation system contains at least one non - partitioning preservative.

[0021] Suitable non - partitioning preservatives may be selected from the following: a) Carboxylic acids, hydroxycarboxylic acids and their conjugate bases; b) Hydroxyesters such as lactate monoesters; c) Alcohols and polyols such as ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, glycerol, sorbitol, more specifically diols, even more specifically 1,2 - diols such as 1,3 - butylene glycol, 1,3 - propylene glycol and 1,2 - alkyldiols having 2 to 7 carbon atoms; and mixtures thereof; d) Hydroxypyrones and hydroxylactones such as dehydroacetic acid or gluconodeltalactone; e) Phenols, phenolic derivatives and polyphenols such as palmitoyl epigallocatechin-3-gallate (ex-green tea extract) and pyrogallol; f) Formaldehyde releasing agents such as formaldehyde, imidazolidinyl urea (CAS 39236-46-9), diazolidinyl urea (CAS 78491-02-8), DMDM hydantoin (1,3-bis(hydroxymethyl)-5,5-dimethylimidazolidine-2,4-dione, CAS 6440-58-0), bronopol (2-bromo-2-nitro-1,3-propanediol, (CAS 52-51-7)), bronidox (5-bromo-5-nitro-1,3-dioxane, CAS 30007-47-7); g) Nitrogen-containing compositions such as quaternium-15 (1-(3-chloroallyl)-3,5,7-triaza-1-azoniaadamantane chloride, CAS 4080-31-3), benzalkonium chloride (CAS 8001-54-5), methenamine (CAS 100-97-0), caprylic hydroxamic acid, 2-hydroxyethylamine, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate; and more specifically, isothiazolinones and alkaloids such as caffeine, nicotinamide, N,N-diethylnicotinamide, and N,N-dimethylbenzamide; h) Surfactants selected from cationic surfactants such as alkylamine salts, for example alkyl esters of lauramide arginine monohydrochloride; anionic surfactants such as alkylbenzyl sulfonates, alkyl sulfates, sulfonates and carboxylates; amphoteric surfactants such as alkylamide betaines and alkylamide glycine acids; nonionic surfactants having a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) of 12 to 20 such as fatty acid monoethanolamides, ethoxylated fatty alcohols and alkyl polyglucosides; and C1-C8 alkyl ethers and esters of ethylene oxide oligomers and glycerol oligomers, also known as sorbo surfactants; i) Quaternized or protonated amines such as alkyl esters of lauramide of arginine monohydrochloride, alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride (ADBAC), alkyldimethylethylbenzylammonium chloride (ADEBAC), and didecylammonium chloride (DDAC); and quaternized or protonated amines.

[0022] Some of the above-mentioned agents are used in microcapsule slurries to satisfy various functions. However, the evaluation of the ability to provide effective preservation and, in particular, the appropriate levels of each agent required for suitable preservation in biodegradable microcapsules have not yet been investigated.

[0023] In a particular embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, a) The weight ratio of carboxylic acids and hydroxycarboxylic acids and their conjugate bases to the microcapsules is from 0.0005 to 0.4, more specifically from 0.001 to 0.2, preferably from 0.002 to 0.02, and even more preferably from 0.008 to 0.015; b) The weight ratio of alcohols and polyols, more specifically diols, and even more specifically 1,2-diols to the microcapsules is from 0.001 to 0.4, more specifically from 0.005 to 0.2; c) The weight ratio of hydroxyesters such as lactate monoesters to the microcapsules is from 0.0001 to 0.02, more specifically from 0.0005 to 0.004; d) The weight ratio of hydroxypyrones and hydroxylactones to the microcapsules is from 0.0005 to 0.1, more specifically from 0.001 to 0.04; e) The weight ratio of phenols, phenol derivatives and polyphenols to the microcapsules is from 0.0005 to 0.1, more specifically from 0.001 to 0.04; and f) The weight ratio of formaldehyde releasers to the microcapsules is from 0.0001 to 0.04, more specifically from 0.0005 to 0.02. g) The weight ratio of the nitrogen-containing compound, more specifically isothiazolinone and alkaloid, to the microcapsules is 0.000005 to 0.00004, more specifically 0.00001 to 0.00002; h) The weight ratio of the surfactant to the microcapsules is 0.001 to 0.2, more specifically 0.01 to 0.1; i) The weight ratio of the quaternized or protonated amine to the microcapsules is 0.0005 to 0.05, more specifically 0.001 to 0.02; However, the weight of the microcapsules used here is based on the solid content of the microcapsule composition.

[0024] In the present invention, the solid content is measured using a thermobalance operating at 120 °C. The solid content, expressed as the weight percentage of the initial microcapsule composition deposited on the balance, was taken when the weight change rate due to drying dropped below 0.1% / min. In a particular embodiment of the present invention, at least one preservative is selected from any one of groups b) to f), is non-ionic, and has a calculated octanol / water partition coefficient (ClogP) of 1.0 or less, more specifically 0.5 or less, even more specifically 0.0 or less, even more specifically -0.5 (minus 0.5) or less.

[0025] In a particular embodiment of the present invention, at least one non-ionic preservative is selected from diols, more specifically 2-methyl-2,4-pentanediol (ClogP = -0.02), and 1,2-alkyl diols such as 1,2-propanediol (ClogP = -1.06), 1,2-butanediol (ClogP = -0.53), 1,2-pentanediol (ClogP = -0.002), and 1,2-hexanediol (ClogP = 0.53). In certain embodiments of the present invention, at least one preservative is a conjugate acid-base pair. The conjugate acid-base pair may be derived from a weak acid or a salt of a weak acid, provided that the weak acid in its protonated form has a ClogP of 1.00 or less, more specifically 0.50 or less, even more specifically 0.00 or less, and even more specifically -0.50 or less.

[0026] In the context of the present invention, the ClogP value of a preservative is calculated by using the ClogP calculation method implemented in ChemDraw version 19. ChemDraw is part of the ChemOffice platform commercialized by Perkin Elmer. A conjugate acid-base pair is one in which the protonated acid (acid moiety) is in equilibrium with its deprotonated form (base moiety).

[0027] Known weak acids having a ClogP of 1.00 or less, more specifically 0.50 or less, even more specifically 0.00 or less, and even more specifically -0.50 or less in their protonated form include, but are not limited to, ascorbic acid (ClogP = -1.76), citric acid (ClogP = -2.00), malic acid (ClogP = -1.52), lactic acid (ClogP = -0.73), glycolic acid (ClogP = -1.04), levulinic acid (ClogP = -0.34), gluconic acid (ClogP = -3.10), phytic acid (ClogP = -8.80), glutamic acid N,N-diacetic acid (GLDA) (ClogP = -1.22), ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) (ClogP = -1.93), hydroxymethylaminoacetic acid (ClogP = -2.81), and C1-C5 carboxylic acids such as formic acid (ClogP = -0.54), acetic acid (ClogP = -0.194), propionic acid (ClogP = 0.34), and butanoic acid (ClogP = 0.86).

[0028] In certain embodiments of the present invention, the conjugate acid-base pair is derived from a weak acid selected from the group consisting of ascorbic acid, citric acid, malic acid, lactic acid, glycolic acid, levulinic acid, gluconic acid, phytic acid, glutamic acid N,N-diacetic acid (GLDA), ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), caprylic hydroxamic acid, and hydroxymethylaminoacetic acid. These weak acids are preferred due to their high solubility in water and low odor. Known salts of weak acids include salts of aromatic carboxylic acids, saturated and unsaturated alkyl carboxylic acids, and hydroxy acids with monovalent alkali metals and silver.

[0029] In certain embodiments of the present invention, the conjugate acid-base pair is derived from a salt of a weak acid selected from the group consisting of lithium, sodium, potassium, or ammonium salts of ascorbate, citrate, malate, lactate, levulinate, gluconate, phytate, glutamate-N,N-diacetate, ethylenediaminetetraacetate, caprylic hydroxamate, and hydroxymethylaminoacetate.

[0030] The Applicant has also found that using one conjugate acid-base pair is sufficient to provide a microcapsule composition with improved stability against biodegradation compared to conventional preservatives, while on the other hand, combining different conjugate acid-base pairs or combining a conjugate acid-base pair with one or more of the above-mentioned non-partitioning preservatives b.-i. can lead to a more high-performance preservation system.

[0031] The molar ratio of both the acid (e.g., non-ionized) and base (e.g., ionized) moieties in the conjugate acid-base pair in the microcapsule composition controls the pH of the composition according to the principle of the buffer, which is as represented by the Henderson-Hasselbach equation: pH = pK a + log([A - / [HA]) where pK aThe term is the negative logarithm of the acid dissociation constant or Ka value of a weak acid involved in a conjugate acid-base pair, where [A - is the molar concentration of the conjugate base moiety and [HA] is the molar concentration of the conjugate acid moiety.

[0032] This also applies to combinations of different weak acids and salts of weak acids, such as combinations of ascorbic acid and potassium sorbate, sorbic acid and potassium ascorbate, formic acid and sodium lactate, or citric acid and sodium glycolate. Thus, different preservatives containing different conjugate acid-base pairs can be used in the context of the present invention.

[0033] The molar ratio of both the acid part and the base part can be controlled by adding a strong Bronsted acid such as hydrochloric acid to a solution of the salt of the weak acid described above, or by adding a strong Bronsted base to the weak acid. The effectiveness of a preservation system containing one or more conjugate acid-base pairs may be related to the presence of the acid (e.g., non-ionized) part of the conjugate acid-base pair. The effectiveness may be optimal at acidic pH, especially below pH 7, more specifically below 6, and even more specifically below 5.

[0034] The above-mentioned non-distributive conjugate acid-base pairs can be combined with conjugate acid-base pairs of distributive carboxylic acids such as sorbic acid, benzoic acid, 2-hydroxybenzoic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, 4-methoxybenzoic acid, etc., which have a solubility in deionized water at 25 °C of 0.5 g / L or more in protonated form, and their conjugate bases, lithium salts, sodium salts or potassium salts as sorbate, benzoate, 2-hydroxybenzoate, 4-hydroxybenzoate, and 4-methoxybenzoate.

[0035] The preservatives mentioned above may be used alone or in combination. At least one of the above non-distributive preservatives may also be combined with at least one non-distributive preservative having a solubility in deionized water at 25 °C exceeding 1 g / l, such as benzyl alcohol, phenylethyl alcohol, phenoxyethanol, etc.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment, the antibacterial preservation system comprises at least one non-distributive preservative selected from: i) lactic acid and potassium sorbate, ii) lactic acid and sodium benzoate, iii) 1,2-alkanediol having a ClogP value of less than 1 and phenoxyethanol, iv) gluconic acid and potassium sorbate, and v) 1,2-alkanediol, dehydroacetic acid, benzyl alcohol and phenoxyethanol.

[0037] The non-distributive preservative may also be provided in the form of natural extracts. Such natural extracts include: Evodia extract containing carboxylic acids at high levels; cranberry extract containing a large amount of benzoic acid and smaller amounts of 2,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, and o-hydroxybenzoic acid; bilberry extract, blackcurrant extract, acai extract, nettle extract, and elderberry extract containing large amounts of phenols and polyphenols.

[0038] The efficiency of green tea extract containing non-distributive palmitoyl epigallocatechin-3-gallate preservative may be enhanced by combining the extract with a cationic surfactant or a conjugate acid-base pair such as ascorbic acid and sodium ascorbate. The level of the antibacterial preservation system in a given microcapsule composition may strongly depend on the efficiency of this antibacterial preservation system in this microcapsule composition and may have to be determined empirically.

[0039] In certain embodiments, the antimicrobial preservation systems resulting from combinations such as i) lactic acid and potassium sorbate, ii) lactic acid and sodium benzoate, iii) sorbic acid, potassium sorbate and benzyl alcohol, iv) 1,2 - pentanediol and phenoxyethanol, and v) gluconic acid and potassium sorbate are typically employed at levels of from 0.01 wt% to 5 wt%, more specifically from 0.05 wt% to 2.5 wt%, and even more specifically from 0.1 to 2 wt% based on the total weight of the microcapsule composition. In one embodiment, the antimicrobial preservation system is a combination of just 0.1 wt% lactic acid and 0.2 wt% sodium benzoate based on the total weight of the microcapsule composition.

[0040] The pH of the aqueous phase of the microcapsule composition is typically from 2 to 9, more specifically from 3 to 8. In a preferred embodiment, the pH of the aqueous phase of the microcapsule composition containing an acid - base pair is typically from 2 to 7, more specifically from 3.5 to 6, because it has been found that the conjugate acid - base pair is more efficient over this pH range against the full range of the above - mentioned microorganisms.

[0041] As described above, the microcapsules formed from the biodegradable encapsulation materials referred to herein can serve as a nutrient source for microorganisms and can be decomposed by microorganisms. Microorganisms can be any bacteria, yeast, mold, and algae that can grow and contaminate an aqueous medium. The growth of microorganisms in a product such as a microcapsule slurry can be evaluated by conducting a so - called challenge test, where gram - negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, gram - positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, yeasts such as Aspergillus niger and Cephaloascus Albidus, and molds such as Candida albicans are inoculated into the product.

[0042] As used herein, the term "biodegradable" with respect to an encapsulating material means that the encapsulating material is capable of being broken down and / or is actually broken down by physical, chemical, thermal or biological processes in the natural environment. Ultimate biodegradation is achieved when the encapsulating material is completely broken down into components such as water, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide and ammonia. In practice, biodegradability can be evaluated by methods known in the art, such as the OECD guideline methods for testing chemicals, as described in more detail below.

[0043] In the context of the present invention, the encapsulating material preferably meets the pass criteria for "inherently biodegradable" and / or "readily biodegradable" materials in at least one OECD biodegradability test. To avoid ambiguity, this means that if it passes one test and fails one or more other tests, it is considered to have passed and the encapsulating material is considered to be biodegradable.

[0044] As described above, the term "ultimate biodegradability" used in the OECD tests refers to the complete breakdown of the material into water, carbon dioxide and new biomass. For the evaluation of the pass criteria for "readily biodegradable", the biodegradation study can be selected from the group consisting of OECD Method 301C, OECD Method 301D, OECD Method 301F and OECD Method 310. Method 301F is particularly suitable for non-volatile materials such as polymers.

[0045] OECD Method 301C, OECD Method 301D, and OECD Method 301F are described in the OECD Guidelines for the Testing of Chemicals, Section 3, Test No. 301: Readily Biodegradability (Adopted: July 17, 1992; https: / / doi.org / 10.1787 / 9789264070349-en). OECD Method 310 is described in the OECD Guidelines for the Testing of Chemicals, Section 3, Test No. 310: Ready Biodegradability - CO2 in sealed vessels (Headspace Test) (Adopted: March 23, 2006; Amended: September 26, 2014; https: / / doi.org / 10.1787 / / 9789264016316-en).

[0046] In a specific aspect of the present invention, the pass criterion for "readily biodegradable" is evaluated according to OECD Method 301F which refers to manometric respirometry. In this method, the pass level for "readily biodegradable" is to reach 60% of the theoretical oxygen demand and / or the chemical oxygen demand. This pass value must be achieved within a 10-day window out of the 28-day test period. The 10-day window starts when the degree of biodegradation reaches 10% of the theoretical oxygen demand and / or the chemical oxygen demand and must end by the 28th day of the test.

[0047] If positive results are achieved in the "readily biodegradable" test, it can be assumed that the test material undergoes rapid and ultimate biodegradation in that environment (as further described in the Introduction to the OECD Guidelines for the Testing of Chemicals, Section 3, Part 1: Principles and Strategies Related to the Testing of Degradation of Organic Chemicals (adopted: July 2023)).

[0048] For the assessment of the pass criteria for "inherently biodegradable", the biodegradation study can be OECD Method 302C, but it is also possible to use OECD Method 301F, although based on different pass criteria. OECD Method 302C is described in the OECD Guidelines for the Testing of Chemicals, Section 3, Test No. 302C: Inherent Biodegradability: Modified MITI Test (II) (adopted: May 12, 1981; amended: September 8, 2009; https: / / doi.org / 10.1787 / 9789264070400-en).

[0049] In a specific aspect of the present invention, the pass criteria for "inherently biodegradable" are evaluated by OECD Method 302C. In this method, the pass level for "inherently biodegradable" is then to reach 70% of the theoretical oxygen demand. There is no time limit for reaching this level.

[0050] A biodegradation rate exceeding 70% can be considered as evidence of ultimate biodegradability in essence, which means that the test material undergoes complete biodegradation into other inorganic substances such as CO2, biomass, H2O, and NH3 (OECD Guidelines for the Testing of Chemicals, Section 3, Part 1: Principles and Strategies Related to the Testing of Degradation of Organic Chemicals; adopted: July 2003). When OECD Method 301F is used for the evaluation of the pass criteria for "inherent biodegradability", the pass level is 60% of the theoretical oxygen demand and / or chemical oxygen demand. This pass value may be reached after a 28-day test period, which is usually extended up to 60 days. The 10-day framework is not applicable.

[0051] The biodegradable encapsulating materials in the microcapsule composition may include biopolymers and biodegradable synthetic polymers. The biopolymers useful for the formation of the microcapsule composition according to the present invention may be those obtained from or derived from natural sources, such as plant, fungal, bacterial, algal, or animal sources, which are native or unmodified from their natural state, or may be chemically modified, and are capable of forming an encapsulating matrix or shell around a functional material, and can be any polymer.

[0052] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the biodegradable encapsulating material comprises at least one biopolymer selected from polysaccharides such as starch, dextrin, maltodextrin, amylopectin, glycogen, phytoglycogen, dextran, guar gum, locust bean gum, pectin, gum arabic, gellan gum, xanthan gum, alginate, hyaluronic acid, and chitosan; modified polysaccharides; polyphenol compounds such as lignin, modified lignin, and tannic acid; proteins and polypeptides such as gelatin, whey protein, pea protein, soy protein, casein, and albumin; modified proteins; and mixtures thereof.

[0053] The polysaccharides and modified polysaccharides can be selected from the group consisting of: - Polysaccharides selected from the group consisting of starches such as corn starch, potato starch, tapioca starch, dextrin, maltodextrin, amylopectin, glycogen, phytoglycogen, dextran, enzyme-branched starch, and octenyl succinic anhydride (OSA)-modified starch, which contain alpha(1→4)-linked monosaccharide units, preferably additionally containing (1→6), (1→3), and / or (1→2)-linked monosaccharide units; - Polysaccharides selected from the group consisting of those containing beta(1→4)-linked monosaccharide units, such as nanocellulose, preferably cellulose derivatives, especially xyloglucan, galactomannans (such as guar gum, locust bean gum, and cassia gum), methylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, and (hydrolyzed) cellulose acetate; - Polysaccharides selected from the group consisting of pectin, acacia gum, octenyl succinic anhydride (OSA)-modified acacia gum, gellan gum, xanthan gum, alginate, and hyaluronic acid, which contain alpha(1→4) or beta(1→4)-linked monosaccharide units and additionally contain carboxylic acid groups, and polysaccharides selected from the group consisting of kappa-carrageenan, iota-carrageenan, and lambda-carrageenan, which contain sulfate groups; - Polysaccharides selected from the group consisting of beta (1→4) -linked D-glucosamine and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, preferably chitosan and chitosan pyrrolidone carboxylate; and - Polysaccharides such as cationic guar gum, containing alpha (1→4) or beta (1→4) -linked monosaccharide units and in addition a cationic group selected from protonated amines and tertiary amines.

[0054] Lignin may be selected from the group consisting of lignin sulfonate, lignin hydrolyzate, and lignin nanoparticles. Tannic acid consists of molecules having 2 to 12 galloyl moieties surrounding a glucose core. Suitable proteins include, but are not limited to, gelatin (preferably type B gelatin), whey protein, pea protein, soy protein, casein, rice protein, wheat protein, egg protein, barley protein, brown rice protein, pumpkin seed protein, oat protein, potato protein, almond protein, and albumin (such as bovine serum albumin), and mixtures thereof.

[0055] These proteins may be used in their native form or in a denatured form. Protein denaturation usually involves changes in the secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structures of the protein, converting a highly functional and specialized macromolecule into a material that can be employed in a wide range of applications. It is well known that denaturation can be induced, for example, by the action of temperature, pH, ionizing radiation, shear stress, water structure-breaking agents, and detergents. Proteins may be isolated by known processes such as extraction and centrifugation. The encapsulating material of the microcapsules can be formed from a single type of biopolymer or a combination of biopolymers disclosed herein.

[0056] Examples of biopolymers useful as encapsulating materials in the formation of microcapsules for the purposes of the present invention include those disclosed in the published patent applications WO2020 / 209907, WO2020 / 209908, WO2020 / 209909, WO2020 / 131866, WO2016 / 185171, US2015 / 0164117, WO2016 / 193435, US2017 / 0360676, WO2019 / 179939, WO2019 / 243425, and WO2019 / 243426. Useful encapsulating materials, biopolymers or modified biopolymers, disclosed in these publications include silk proteins (sericin and fibroin), gum arabic, soy protein, whey protein, milk protein, sodium caseinate, calcium caseinate, casein, gelatin, bovine serum albumin, ovalbumin, beta-lactoglobulin, hydrolyzed protein, gluten, pea protein, vegetative storage protein, Purolan sericin (INCI name: hydrolyzed sericin), pseudo-collagen (INCI name: yeast extract), biopolymer SA-N (INCI name: hyaluronic acid (and) albumin (and) dextran sulfate), chitin, chitosan, starch, octenyl succinic anhydride modified starch, gum arabic, xanthan gum, gellan gum, pectin gum, konjac gum, carboxyalkyl cellulose, dextran, dextrin, cellulose, modified cellulose, hemicellulose, pectin, lignin and tannic acid.

[0057] Biodegradable synthetic polymers may also be useful in the present invention. Such biodegradable synthetic polymers include polyesters such as polyhydroxycarboxylic acids and polyhydroxyalkanoates, as well as polyester copolymers such as poly(ester-co-urea), poly(ester-co-urethane), poly(ester-co-amide), polythioester, polyorthoester, poly(hydroxyurethane), polyanhydride, and poly(urea-alkylsiloxane).

[0058] Regardless of the type of microcapsules (i.e., core-shell type or matrix type) employed in the formation of the microcapsule composition of the present invention or the nature of the polymer used as the encapsulating material, in order to achieve the desired balance between the retention of the functional material during manufacturing, distribution, and storage and its release profile in consumer products, the polymer used in microcapsule formation may be cross-linked with one or more cross-linking agents suitable for such purposes.

[0059] A cross-linking agent or cross-linker refers to a substance that induces or forms cross-links. The cross-linking agents used in the present invention may be monofunctional (containing only one reactive group) or polyfunctional (containing more than one reactive group). Moreover, in some embodiments, the cross-linking agent may provide one type of bond, while in other embodiments, the cross-linking agent may provide more than one type of bond. Thus, in some embodiments, the cross-linking agent is hetero-functional, for example, hetero-bifunctional. Examples of cross-linking agents used in the present invention include, but are not limited to, aldehydes, epoxy compounds, polyvalent metal cations, polyphenols, maleimides, sulfides, phenol oxides, hydrazides, isocyanates, isothiocyanates, N-hydroxysulfosuccinimide derivatives, carbodiimide derivatives, sugars, polyols such as sugar alcohols, amines, enzymes, or combinations thereof.

[0060] In certain embodiments, aldehyde cross-linking agents include the bifunctional aldehydes already described above, as well as polyfunctional aldehydes such as malondialdehyde, succinaldehyde, 1,3-propanedialdehyde, 1,4-butanedialdehyde, 1,5-pentanedialdehyde, and 1,6-hexanedialdehyde; and compounds such as polymer aldehydes including glyoxyl trimers and paraformaldehyde, bis(dimethyl)acetal, bis(diethyl)acetal, oxidized starch.

[0061] The "epoxy compound" as a crosslinker contains a hydroxyl group or an ether bond in its original form or in such a form that such a group or bond is formed by undergoing a crosslinking reaction. Examples of suitable epoxy (also called polyglycidyl ether) crosslinkers include, e.q.f 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether (BDDE), ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether (EGDGE), 1,6-hexanediol diglycidyl ether, polyethylene glycol diglycidyl ether, propylene glycol diglycidyl ether, polypropylene glycol diglycidyl ether, polytetramethylene glycol diglycidyl ether, neopentyl glycol diglycidyl ether, polyglycerol polyglycidyl ether, diglycerol polyglycidyl ether, glycerol polyglycidyl ether, hexanediol glycidyl ether, trimethylolpropane polyglycidyl ether, pentaerythritol polyglycidyl ether, sorbitol polyglycidyl ether, phthalic acid diglycidyl ester, adipic acid diglycidyl ether, glycidol, or combinations thereof.

[0062] The polyvalent metal cations used as crosslinkers in the present invention are preferably derived from monovalent or polyvalent cations, especially from alkali metals such as potassium, sodium, lithium in the case of monovalent ones. Preferred divalent cations are those derived from alkaline earth metals such as zinc, beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium. Further cations having a higher charge applicable in the present invention are cations from aluminum, iron, chromium, manganese, titanium, zirconium, and other transition metals, as well as double salts of such cations, or mixtures of the salts listed.

[0063] The polyphenol crosslinker used in the present invention has at least two or more hydroxyphenyl groups. Examples of suitable polyphenol crosslinkers include, but are not limited to, flavonoids, isoflavonoids, neoflavonoids, gallotannins, ellagitannins, DL-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine, phloroglucinol, phenolic acids such as gallic acid or tannic acid, phenol esters, phenol heterosides, curcumin, polyhydroxylated coumarins, polyhydroxylated lignans, neolignans, or combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the polyphenol crosslinker is a phenolic acid having a 3,4,5-trihydroxyphenyl group or a 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl group. A preferred polyphenol is tannic acid.

[0064] Bis-maleimide refers to a compound having two maleimide groups, where the two maleimide groups are bonded by a linker through a nitrogen atom. Examples of such crosslinkers having maleimide groups include succinimidyl N-maleimidobenzoate (SMB), sulfosuccinimidyl N-maleimidobenzoate (sulfosuccinimidyl N-maleimidobenzoate), succinimidyl 4-(N-maleimidomethyl)cyclohexane-1-carboxylate (SMCC), sulfosuccinimidyl 4-(N-maleimidomethyl)cyclohexane-1-carboxylate (sulfosuccinimidyl 4-(N-maleimidomethyl)cyclohexane-1-carboxylate), succinimidyl 4-(p-maleimidophenyl)butyrate (SMPB), sulfosuccinimidyl 4-(p-maleimidophenyl)butyrate (sulfosuccinimidyl 4-(p-maleimidophenyl)butyrate), bis-maleimide hexane (BMH), N-(4-diazophenyl)maleimide, and N-(b-diazophenylethyl)maleimide.

[0065] The terms "isocyanate", "polyfunctional isocyanate", and "polyisocyanate" are used interchangeably herein and refer to compounds having two or more isocyanate (-NCO) groups. The polyisocyanate can be aromatic, aliphatic, straight-chain, branched, or cyclic. In some embodiments, the polyisocyanate contains, on average, 2 to 4 isocyanate groups. In certain embodiments, the polyisocyanate contains at least 3 isocyanate functional groups. In certain embodiments, the polyisocyanate is insoluble in water.

[0066] In certain embodiments, the polyisocyanate used in the present invention is an aromatic polyisocyanate. Desirably, the aromatic polyisocyanate contains phenyl, tolyl, xylyl, naphthyl, or diphenyl moieties as aromatic components. In one embodiment, the aromatic polyisocyanate is a polyisocyanurate of toluene diisocyanate, a trimethylolpropane adduct of toluene diisocyanate, or a trimethylolpropane adduct of xylylene diisocyanate.

[0067] Other examples of aromatic polyisocyanates include 1,5-naphthylene diisocyanate, 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), hydrogenated MDI (H12MDI), xylylene diisocyanate (XDI), tetramethylxylylene diisocyanate (TMXDI), 4,4'-diphenyldimethylmethane diisocyanate, di- and tetraalkyldiphenylmethane diisocyanates, 4,4'-dibenzyl diisocyanate, 1,3-phenylene diisocyanate, 1,4-phenylene diisocyanate, isomers of tolylene diisocyanate (TDI), 4,4'-diisocyanatophenyl perfluoroethane, bisisocyanatoethyl phthalate, and combinations thereof.

[0068] In certain embodiments, as already described above, the polyisocyanates used in the present invention are trifunctional alkyl aromatic isocyanates such as the adduct of the aforementioned 2-ethylpropane-1,2,3-triol with 1-isocyanato-3-(isocyanatomethyl)benzene, and are commercially available under the trade names Takenate D-110N (manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals) or Quix 175 (manufactured by Covestro). The polyisocyanates sold under the trademark TAKENATE® D-110N and other polyisocyanates are typically commercially available in the form of ethyl acetate solutions. Preferably, ethyl acetate is replaced with a solvent having a high flash point (e.g., at least 100 °C, at least 120 °C, and at least 150 °C). Suitable solvents include triacetin, triethyl citrate, ethylene glycol diacetate, benzyl benzoate, and combinations thereof.

[0069] As an example, a solution of the trimethylolpropane adduct of xylylene diisocyanate in ethyl acetate sold under the trademark TAKENATE® D-110N is mixed with benzyl benzoate and vacuum distilled to remove ethyl acetate, thereby obtaining a polyisocyanate solution containing about 59% by weight of the trimethylolpropane adduct of xylylene diisocyanate and 41% by weight of benzyl benzoate. This polyisocyanate solution has a flash point of at least 60 °C. This polyisocyanate solution in benzyl benzoate can be used to prepare the microcapsule composition of the present invention together with polyvinylpyrrolidone / polyquaternium-11 or sulfonated polystyrene / carboxymethyl cellulose.

[0070] In other specific embodiments, the polyisocyanate is an aliphatic polyisocyanate such as a trimer of hexamethylene diisocyanate, a trimer of isophorone diisocyanate, and a biuret of hexamethylene diisocyanate. Exemplary aliphatic polyisocyanates include those sold under the trademarks BAYHYDUR® N304 and BAYHYDUR® N305, which are hexamethylene diisocyanate-based aliphatic water-dispersible polyisocyanates; DESMODUR® N3600, DESMODUR® N3700, and DESMODUR® N3900, which are hexamethylene diisocyanate-based low-viscosity polyfunctional aliphatic polyisocyanates; and DESMODUR® 3600 and DESMODUR® N100, which are hexamethylene diisocyanate-based aliphatic polyisocyanates, each of which is available from Covestro. Further examples include 1-methyl-2,4-diisocyanatocyclohexane, 1,6-diisocyanato-2,2,4-trimethylhexane, 1,6-diisocyanato-2,4,4-trimethylhexane, 1-isocyanatomethyl-3-isocyanato-1,5,5-trimethylcyclohexane, chlorinated and brominated diisocyanates, phosphorus-containing diisocyanates, tetramethoxybutane 1,4-diisocyanate, butane 1,4-diisocyanate, hexane 1,6-diisocyanate (HDI), dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanate, cyclohexane 1,4-diisocyanate, ethylene diisocyanate, and combinations thereof. Sulfur-containing polyisocyanates can be obtained, for example, by reacting hexamethylene diisocyanate with thiodiglycol or dihydroxydihexyl sulfide. Further suitable diisocyanates are trimethylhexamethylene diisocyanate, 1,4-diisocyanatobutane, 1,2-diisocyanatododecane, dimer fatty acid diisocyanate, and combinations thereof.

[0071] The polyfunctional amines include natural amino acids such as lysine, histidine, arginine, non-toxic derivatives or family members of lysine, histidine, arginine, and mixtures thereof, as well as guanidine amines and guanidine salts. Exemplary guanidine amines and guanidine salts include, but are not limited to, 1,3-diaminoguanidine monohydrochloride, 1,1-dimethylbiguanide hydrochloride, guanidine carbonate, and guanidine hydrochloride. Polyamine compounds include, for example, ethylenediamine, diethylenetriamine, triethylenetetramine, tetraethylenepentamine, pentaethylenehexamine, and polyimine. In some embodiments, the amine is lysine. In other embodiments, the amine is guanidine carbonate.

[0072] The polyaziridine compounds include 2,2-bishydroxymethylbutanol tris[3-(1-aziridinyl)propionate], 1,6-hexamethylenediethyleneurea, and diphenylmethane-bis-4,4'-N,N'-diethyleneurea. The halogen epoxides include, for example, epichlorohydrin and epibromohydrin, and α-methylepichlorohydrin.

[0073] The alkylene carbonates include 1,3-dioxolan-2-one (ethylene carbonate), 4-methyl-1,3-dioxolan-2-one (propylene carbonate), 4,5-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-2-one, 4,4-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-2-one, 4-ethyl-1,3-dioxolan-2-one, 4-hydroxymethyl-1,3-dioxolan-2-one, 1,3-dioxan-2-one, 4-methyl-1,3-dioxan-2-one, 4,6-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan-2-one, 1,3-dioxolan-2-one, and poly-1,3-dioxolan-2-one.

[0074] The enzymes used as crosslinking agents can catalyze the linkage of protein-protein, polysaccharide-polysaccharide, protein-polysaccharide, polyphenol-polyphenol, protein-polyphenol, or polyphenol-polysaccharide. In certain embodiments, the crosslinking enzyme can be, for example, transglutaminase, tyrosinase, lipoxygenase, protein disulfide reductase, protein disulfide isomerase, sulfhydryl oxidase, peroxidase, hexose oxidase, lysyl oxidase, or amine oxidase. As an alternative to the enzyme, a chemical substance that promotes the formation of intermolecular disulfide bridges between proteins can be used. In some embodiments, the chemical substance is a protein (e.g., thioredoxin, glutaredoxin).

[0075] In some embodiments, transglutaminase is used as the crosslinking agent. Transglutaminase catalyzes the formation of a γ-carboxyl-ε-amino bond by catalyzing the linkage of the γ-carboxamide group of a glutaminyl residue to the ε-amino group of a lysyl residue. Transglutaminase is widely present in biological systems and can be obtained from microorganisms belonging to the genus Streptoverticillium, or from Bacillus subtilis, various actinomycetes and slime molds, plant, fish, and mammalian sources, and includes blood coagulation protein activator factor XIII.

[0076] The total amount of the crosslinking agent used in the preparation of the microcapsule composition according to the present invention can vary and can depend on the crosslinker or combination of crosslinkers used. Generally, the amount of crosslinker present ranges from 0.1 to 20% by weight, preferably from 0.1 to 10% by weight, more preferably from 0.2 to 5% by weight, and even more preferably from 0.5 to 2.5% by weight, based on the total dry weight of the encapsulating material.

[0077] A single crosslinking agent can be used in the production of the microcapsule composition of the present invention. On the other hand, it has been found that by combining crosslinking agents, the crosslinking density can be increased compared to when a single crosslinking agent is used. Therefore, in certain embodiments, two or more, three or more, or four or more crosslinking agents are used to improve the crosslinking density and diversity. In certain embodiments, at least two crosslinking agents are used.

[0078] In a preferred embodiment, the microcapsule is a core-shell microcapsule comprising a core containing a functional material and a shell encapsulating the core, and the shell contains a biodegradable encapsulating material. Certain embodiments of the microcapsule composition of the present invention include a plurality of core-shell type microcapsules described in the co-pending patent application WO2021 / 239742A1. As disclosed therein, the shell material comprises a polymer stabilizer formed when a polymeric surfactant interacts with at least one aminosilane through dispersive forces, electrostatic forces, hydrogen bonding or by covalent bonding. In other words, the polymer stabilizer can be regarded as an assembly comprising a moiety derived from a polymeric surfactant and a moiety derived from at least one aminosilane.

[0079] A polymeric surfactant is a polymer having the property of reducing the interfacial tension between an oil phase and a water phase when dissolved in one or both of the phases. This ability to reduce interfacial tension is called surface activity. The polymeric surfactant is soluble or dispersible in an aqueous phase or in water. The polymer stabilizer is thought to provide a stable platform that can stabilize the oil-water interface during the formation of the microcapsule and create the microcapsule shell by forming additional shell material around it. The additional shell material can include any of those described above in this specification, but particularly includes polysaccharides, preferably polysaccharides containing beta(1→4) linked monosaccharide units, and more specifically cellulose derivatives.

[0080] The polymeric surfactant can include or can be composed of a polysaccharide containing a carboxylic acid group. The polysaccharide containing a carboxylic acid group can include uronic acid units, especially hexuronic acid units. Polysaccharides having uronic acid units, especially hexuronic acid units, are widely available in nature. The hexuronic acid unit is selected from the group consisting of galacturonic acid units, glucuronic acid units, especially 4-O-methyl-glucuronic acid units, glucuronic acid units and mannuronic acid units. The polysaccharide containing a carboxylic acid group can be branched. The branched polysaccharide containing a carboxylic acid group has the advantage of forming a more compact network than a linear polysaccharide and thus the impermeability of the encapsulation shell can be advantageous, resulting in reduced leakage and higher encapsulation efficiency.

[0081] The polymeric surfactant can be selected from pectin, gum arabic and alginate. These polysaccharides provide the most suitable combination of solubility, viscosity and surface activity such that the microcapsules have particularly excellent performance in terms of their handling, storage stability and olfactory performance. The polymeric surfactant can also be hyaluronic acid.

[0082] The aminosilane can be selected from compounds represented by formula (I).

Chemical formula

[0083] In the above formula (I), R1, R2 and R3 are each independently a C1-C4 linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl residue, especially methyl or ethyl, and R4 is a C1-C12, preferably C1-C4, linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl residue containing an amine functional group, especially a primary, secondary or tertiary amine.

[0084] When the functional group is a primary amine, it may be a terminal primary amine. R4 is then preferably a straight-chain terminal primary aminoalkyl residue of C1-C8, more preferably C1-C4. Specific amino silanes in this category are selected from the group consisting of aminomethyltriethoxysilane, 2-aminoethyltriethoxysilane, 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, 4-aminobutyltriethoxysilane, 5-aminopentyltriethoxysilane, 6-aminohexyltriethoxysilane, 7-aminoheptyltriethoxysilane, and 8-aminooctyltriethoxysilane.

[0085] Without being bound by any theory, it is believed that the silane groups form a silica network at the oil-water interface by polycondensing with each other during microcapsule formation, and this further stabilizes this interface. The amino silane may be a bidentate amino silane, which means a molecule containing at least one amino group and two residues, each of these residues having at least one alkoxysilane moiety.

[0086] More specifically, at least one bidentate amino silane can have the formula (II). (O-R 4 ) (3-f) (R 3 ) f Si-R 2 -X-R 2 -Si(O-R 4 ) (3-f) (R 3 ) f Formula (II) In the above formula (II), X is -NR1-, -NR1-CH2-NR1-, -NR1-CH2-CH2-NR1-, -NR1-CO-NR1-, or

Chemical formula

[0087] In the above formula (II), each R1 independently represents H, CH3 or C2H5. Each R2 independently represents a linear or branched alkylene group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms. Each R3 independently represents a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Each R4 independently represents H or a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms. f represents 0, 1 or 2.

[0088] The bidentate aminosilane is particularly advantageous for forming a stable oil-water interface compared to conventional silanes. Examples of bidentate 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, and N,N'-bis(3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl)piperazine.

[0089] The bidentate aminosilane can be a secondary aminosilane. Using a secondary bidentate aminosilane instead of a primary aminosilane reduces the reactivity of the polymer stabilizer towards electrophilic species, especially aldehydes. Thus, functional materials containing high levels of aldehydes can be encapsulated with a lower tendency for adverse interactions between the core-forming material and the shell-forming material. The secondary bidentate aminosilane can be bis(3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl)amine. This particular secondary aminosilane has the advantage of releasing ethanol instead of the more toxic and less desirable methanol during the polycondensation of the ethoxysilane groups.

[0090] Other aminosilanes can also be used in combination with the aforementioned bidentate aminosilanes, particularly the aminosilanes described above in this specification. The weight ratio of the aminosilane to the polymeric surfactant can be from 0.1 to 1.1, particularly from 0.2 to 0.9, more specifically from 0.3 to 0.7, and for example 0.5.

[0091] The polymeric stabilizer can be formed by a combination of a polymeric surfactant and at least one aminosilane and further a polyfunctional isocyanate. The polyfunctional isocyanate can densify the arrangement of the polymeric surfactant at the oil / water interface. Without being bound by any theory, it is presumed that the polyfunctional isocyanate crosslinks both the aminosilane and the polysaccharide by forming polyurea and polyurethane linkages. The polyfunctional isocyanate can be selected from alkyl, cycloaliphatic, aromatic and alkylaromatic, and anion-modified polyfunctional isocyanates having two or more (e.g., 3, 4, 5, etc.) isocyanate groups in the molecule.

[0092] Preferably, at least one polyfunctional isocyanate is an aromatic or alkylaromatic polyfunctional isocyanate, and the alkylaromatic polyfunctional isocyanate preferably has a methyl isocyanate group attached to the aromatic ring. Both the aromatic and methyl isocyanate-substituted alkylaromatic polyfunctional isocyanates have superior reactivity compared to alkyl and cycloaliphatic polyfunctional isocyanates. Among these, 2-ethylpropane-1,2,3-triyltris((3-(isocyanatomethyl)phenyl)carbamate) is particularly preferred because of its tripod-like nature favorable for the formation of intermolecular crosslinks and its intermediate reactivity favorable for the uniformity of the network. This alkylaromatic polyfunctional isocyanate is sold by Mitsui under the trademark Takenate D-110N or by Covestro under the trademark Desmodur® Quix175 and is commercially available.

[0093] Preferably, the polymer stabilizer is formed by a combination of pectin and bis(3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl)amine. Preferably, the polymer stabilizer is formed by a combination of pectin, bis(3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl)amine, and 2-ethylpropane-1,2,3-triyltris((3-(isocyanatomethyl)phenyl)carbamate). The combination of these natural polymer surfactants and a bidentate secondary aminosilane provides particularly advantageous interfacial stability and release characteristics. The stabilized interface is sufficiently impermeable to effectively encapsulate at least one beneficial agent contained in the core. The polymer stabilizer effectively forms a shell that encapsulates at least one fragrance component contained in the core.

[0094] The shell can then additionally include a polysaccharide, preferably a polysaccharide containing beta(1→4) linked monosaccharide units, even more preferably a cellulose derivative, especially one selected from the group consisting of hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, cellulose acetate, and carboxymethyl cellulose, preferably hydroxyethyl cellulose.

[0095] The polysaccharide may be deposited on the surface of the polymer stabilizer-coated droplets of the core material. Thus, it is useful to visualize the microcapsule shell as having a multilayer structure having at least one layer of polymer stabilizer and one layer of polysaccharide, which can improve the impermeability of the encapsulation shell by increasing the amount of encapsulated material, but it is not necessarily the case that the shell is composed of clearly defined individual layers. On the contrary, the layers may rather be undefined or discontinuous, to the extent that the shell appears to be essentially homogeneous.

[0096] Polysaccharides may react with the unreacted groups of the polymer stabilizer, increasing the density of the cross-linked shell. However, polysaccharides may also interact with the polymer stabilizer through physical forces or physical interactions such as hydrogen bonding, ionic interactions, hydrophobic interactions, or electron transfer interactions. A shell further containing polysaccharides can be further stabilized by 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, 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid, itaconic acid, poly(itaconic acid), and combinations thereof.

[0097] In a preferred embodiment, the shell of the core-shell microcapsule contains a complex coacervate formed from at least one cationic biodegradable polymer and at least one anionic biodegradable polymer.

[0098] In a further specific embodiment of the present invention, the microcapsule composition comprises core-shell microcapsules described in the published patent applications WO1996 / 020612A1, WO2001 / 03825A1 or WO2015 / 150370A1 and US Patent US6045835A. In these exemplary embodiments, the shell material of the core-shell microcapsule is a complex coacervate formed from at least one cationic biopolymer such as chitosan or protein and at least one polysaccharide, especially one selected from any of the proteins and polysaccharides mentioned herein. Such core-shell microcapsules are very suitable for use in the microcapsule composition of the present invention.

[0099] In yet a further particular aspect of the present invention, the microcapsule composition comprises microcapsules such as those described in co-pending patent application WO2021 / 239742A1. In these exemplary aspects, the core-shell microcapsules are formed by crosslinking at least one protein with a first crosslinking agent to form a simple coacervate and subsequently adding at least one polysaccharide to form a complex coacervate, where the protein and the polysaccharide can be selected from any of the proteins and polysaccharides referred to herein.

[0100] It has been found that initially forming a simple crosslinked protein coacervate at the core composition / water phase interface and subsequently complex coacervating this crosslinked protein with a second polyelectrolyte, i.e., at least one polysaccharide, leads to the formation of a shell with improved impermeability. In particular, the shell exhibits enhanced impermeability to low molecular weight functional materials within the core, i.e., materials having a molecular weight of less than 350 g / mol, such as fragrance components. Furthermore, compared to conventional coacervate microcapsules, these microcapsules exhibit increased stability in liquid consumer product formulations, particularly in water-based consumer products such as fabric care conditioners.

[0101] Proteins particularly suitable for use in these core-shell microcapsules include gelatin, whey protein, pea protein, soy protein, casein, and albumin, such as bovine serum albumin. In certain embodiments, at least one protein is gelatin, preferably type B gelatin. Type B gelatin is well known to be obtained from the alkaline treatment of collagen and to be able to form complexes with anionic polyelectrolytes such as polysaccharides negatively charged under weakly acidic conditions. Gelatin is typically characterized by the so-called "bloom strength". In this context, bloom strength refers to the rigidity of a gelatin film measured with a so-called "bloom gelometer" according to chapter 2.1 of the official procedure of the Gelatin Manufacturers Institute of America (revised 2019). According to this procedure, the bloom strength (expressed in bloom) is equal to the weight (expressed in grams) required to vertically move a standardized plunger with a diameter of 12.5 mm to a depth of 4 mm into a gelatin gel prepared under controlled conditions (i.e., by dissolving 6.67 wt% gelatin in deionized water at 60 °C in a standardized jar and forming a gel at 10 °C for 17 hours). The greater the weight, the higher the bloom strength of the gelatin used in the production of the tested gel.

[0102] In a preferred embodiment, the bloom strength of type B gelatin is 200 - 250 bloom. If the bloom strength is too low, the gel will be mechanically weak and the coacervate obtained therefrom may not form a self-supporting layer of a gelatin-rich phase around the core material. If the bloom strength is too high, then the coacervate and the gelatin-rich phase obtained therefrom may be too brittle. Type B gelatin can be obtained from fish, which is mainly due to health concerns, sociological background, or religious rules, as fish gelatin is more acceptable to consumers than beef or pork gelatin. Alternatively, the protein may be a plant protein having the advantage of being vegan, especially pea protein and / or soy protein.

[0103] The crosslinking agent can be any of those disclosed herein. However, in a preferred embodiment, the first crosslinking agent is a trifunctional alkyl aromatic isocyanate. More preferably, the trifunctional alkyl aromatic isocyanate is an adduct of 2-ethylpropane-1,2,3-triol or 2-ethyl-2-(hydroxymethyl)propane-1,3-diol with 1-isocyanato-2-(isocyanatomethyl)benzene, 1-isocyanato-3-(isocyanatomethyl)benzene and / or 1-isocyanato-4-(isocyanatomethyl)benzene. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the trifunctional aromatic aliphatic isocyanate is an adduct of 2-ethylpropane-1,2,3-triol with 1-isocyanato-3-(isocyanatomethyl)benzene. The adduct of 2-ethylpropane-1,2,3-triol with 1-isocyanato-3-(isocyanatomethyl)benzene is commercially available under the trade name Takenate D-110N (manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals) or Quix 175 (manufactured by Covestro).

[0104] In connection with this particular exemplary embodiment of the present invention, at least one polysaccharide preferably contains a carboxylic acid group. Polysaccharides containing carboxylic acid groups are particularly suitable for complex coacervation with proteins, especially type B gelatin. This is due to the fact that the net charge of these polysaccharides can be adjusted by adjusting the pH, thereby promoting complex formation with amphoteric proteins. Complex formation occurs at a pH such that the protein has an overall positive charge while the polysaccharide has an overall negative charge, thereby making the overall charge of the complex neutral. These polysaccharides include naturally occurring native polysaccharides and modified polysaccharides. Monovalent alkali metal salts of these polysaccharides can also be used.

[0105] In particular, at least one polysaccharide is selected from the group consisting of carboxymethyl cellulose, gum arabic, alginate, pectin, hyaluronic acid, xanthan gum, gellan gum, and salts thereof with monovalent alkali metals. Carboxymethyl cellulose, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, and gum arabic are particularly preferred.

[0106] In a preferred embodiment, the crosslinking of the composite coacervate with a second crosslinking agent can further improve the impermeability and stability of the shell. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the second crosslinking agent is a bifunctional aldehyde selected from the group consisting of succinaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, glyoxal, benzene-1,2-dialdehyde, benzene-1,3-dialdehyde, benzene-1,4-dialdehyde, piperazine-N,N-dialdehyde, and 2,2'-bipyridyl-5,5'-dialdehyde. Bifunctional aldehydes are known as effective crosslinking agents for proteins.

[0107] The weight ratio of at least one crosslinking agent, in particular a trifunctional aromatic aliphatic isocyanate, to at least one protein, in particular gelatin, can be from 0.08 to 1.2, preferably from 0.12 to 0.8, more preferably from 0.16 to 0.6, and even more preferably from 0.2 to 0.4. With such a weight ratio of the first crosslinking agent to the protein, it is possible to achieve good stability of the microcapsules with respect to leakage, in particular, while ensuring biodegradability at the same time. The weight ratio of the polysaccharide to the protein typically varies depending on the nature of the polysaccharide. Without being bound by any theory, it is assumed that this weight ratio depends on the degree of substitution of the polysaccharide, particularly with carboxyl or carboxylic acid groups if applicable. Preferably, the weight ratio between at least one polysaccharide and at least one protein is from 0.05 to 0.5, preferably from 0.08 to 0.2.

[0108] In one embodiment, the core-shell microcapsules are as described in WO2023 / 020883A1. Microcapsules suspended in an aqueous liquid can be in the form of core-shell microcapsules or in the form of matrix particles, where the functional material is not contained within individual cores surrounded by a shell, but rather is dispersed or dissolved within the encapsulating polymer matrix. The biodegradable encapsulating material may be present in the form of a shell surrounding a core containing the functional material to be encapsulated, thereby forming core-shell microcapsules, or the functional material may be present in the form of matrix particles in which the functional material is dispersed within the biodegradable material.

[0109] The diameter of the core-shell microcapsules ranges from 1 to 100 μm, more specifically from 5 to 75 μm, even more specifically from 10 to 50 μm, and even more specifically from 12 to 30 μm. Microcapsules that are too small are disadvantageous because the ratio of surface area to volume is too large, and may have low stability with respect to leakage of the functional material. On the other hand, microcapsules that are too large may not deposit well on the substrate and may be visible to the eye. In certain embodiments, the matrix of the matrix particles comprises an alginate crosslinked with a divalent metal cation such as Ca 2+ Such matrix capsules are typically obtained by dropping an oil-in-water emulsion containing alginate into an aqueous solution of a divalent metal salt such as calcium chloride.

[0110] The functional materials encapsulated in the microcapsules described herein can include, but are not limited to, fragrances, fragrance boosters, flavors, malodor neutralizers, vitamins or their derivatives, anti-inflammatory agents, fungicides, anesthetics, analgesics, antibacterial agents, antiviral agents, anti-infective agents, anti-acne agents, whitening agents, insect repellents, animal repellents, pest repellents, softeners, skin moisturizers, anti-wrinkle agents, UV protectants, softening agents, enzymes, hard surface cleaning agents, skin or hair conditioning agents, flame retardants, antistatic agents, taste modifiers, probiotics, or combinations thereof.

[0111] In certain embodiments, the functional material is a fragrance composition comprising at least one fragrance component or a flavor composition comprising at least one flavor component. An extensive list of fragrance and flavor components that can be encapsulated in accordance with the present invention can be found in fragrance literature such as “Perfume & Flavor Chemicals”, S. Arctander (Allured Publishing, 1994), or in later editions of such treatises, such as those found at https: / / www.amazon.com / Perfume-Flavor-Chemicals-Aroma-Vol-1 / dp / 0244483248.

[0112] Fragrance components useful as constituents in the microcapsule core include, but are not limited to, the following: ACETOPHENONE EXTRA (1-phenylethanone); ACETYL ISOEUGENOL ((E)-2-methoxy-4-(prop-1-en-1-yl)phenyl acetate); ADOXAL (2,6,10-trimethylundec-9-enal); AGRUMEX (2-(tert-butyl)cyclohexyl acetate); hexanol; decanal; undecanal; 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 (2-methylundecanal); hexanal; octanal; ALDEHYDE C 9 ISONONYLIC (3,5,5-trimethylhexanal); nonanal; ALDEHYDE ISO C 11 ((E)-undec-9-enal); ALLYL AMYL GLYCOLATE (prop-2-enyl 2-(3-methylbutoxy)acetate); ALLYL CAPROATE (prop-2-enyl hexanoate);

[0113] ALLYL CYCLOHEXYL PROPIONATE(Prop-2-en-1-yl 3-cyclohexylpropanoate);ALLYL HEXANOATE(Prop-2-en-1-yl hexanoate);ALLYL OENANTHATE(Prop-2-en-1-yl heptanoate);AMBER CORE(1-((2-(tert-Butyl)cyclohexyl)oxy)butan-2-ol);AMBERKETAL(3,8,8,11a-Tetramethyldodecahydro-1H-3,5a-epoxynaphtho[2,1-c]oxepin);AMBERMAX(1,3,4,5,6,7-Hexahydro-β,1,1,5,5-pentamethyl-2H-2,4a-methanonaphthalen-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((E)-1-Methoxy-4-(prop-1-en-1-yl)benzene);ANISOL((4-Methoxyphenyl)methanol);ANISYL ACETATE(4-Methoxybenzyl acetate);APHERMATE(1-(3,3-Dimethylcyclohexyl)ethyl formate);AUBEPINE PARA CRESOL(4-Methoxybenzaldehyde);AURENTIOL((E)-Methyl 2-((7-hydroxy-3,7-dimethyloctylidene)amino)benzoate);BELAMBRE((1R,2S,4R)-2'-Isopropyl-1,7,7-trimethylspiro[bicylco[2.2.1] Heptane-2,4'-[1,3]dioxane]); Benzaldehyde; Benzyl acetate; BENZYL ACETONE (4-phenylbutan-2-one); Benzyl alcohol; Benzyl benzoate; BENZYL CINNAMATE (benzyl 3-phenylprop-2-enoate); BENZYL SALICYLATE (benzyl 2-hydroxybenzoate); BERRYFLOR (ethyl 6-acetoxyhexanoate); BICYCLO NONALACTONE (octahydro-2H-chromen-2-one); Ciderwood oil;.

[0114] BOISAMBRENE FORTE ((ethoxymethoxy)cyclododecane); BOISIRIS ((1S,2R,5R)-2-ethoxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-9-methylenebicyclo[3.3.1]nonane); BORNEOL ((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 acetate; 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 ((1S,4S)-1,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one); CARVACROL (5-isopropyl-2-methylphenol); CARVONE (2-methyl-5-prop-1-en-2-ylcyclohex-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);

[0115] CINNAMIC ALCOHOL ((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 3 HEXENOL ((Z)-hex-3-en-1-ol); CIS JASMONE ((Z)-3-methyl-2-(pent-2-en-1-yl) cyclopent-2-enone); CITRAL ((E)-3,7-dimethylocta-2,6-dienal); CITRAL LEMAROME (trademark) N ((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 (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); CITRONELLYL PROPIONATE (3,7-dimethylocta-6-en-1-yl propionate); CLONAL (dodecanenitrile); CORANOL (4-cyclohexyl-2-methylbutan-2-ol); CORYLONE DRIED (2-hydroxy-3-methylcyclopent-2-enone);

[0116] Cosmone ((Z)-3-methylcyclotetradec-5-enone); Coumarin (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 (3-(4-isopropylphenyl)-2-methylpropanal); Cyclogalbanate (allyl 2-(cyclohexyloxy)acetate); Cyclohexyl Ethyl Acetate (2-cyclohexylethyl acetate); Cyclohexyl Salicylate (cyclohexyl 2-hydroxybenzoate); Cyclomyrtal (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);

[0117] DECENAL-4-TRANS((E)-deca-4-enal); DELPHONE(2-pentylcyclopentanone); DELTA CARENE(3,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[4.1.0]hepta-3-ene); DELTA-3 CARENE((1S,6S)-3,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[4.1.0]hepta-3-ene); 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(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); DIPHENYL OXIDE(oxydibenzene); DIPHENYL OXIDE(oxydibenzene); DODECALACTONE DELTA(6-heptyltetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-one); DODECALACTONE GAMMA(5-octyloxolan-2-one); DODECENAL((E)-dodeca-2-enal);

[0118] DUPICAL ((E)-4-((3aS,7aS)-hexahydro-1H-4,7-methanoinden-5(6H)-ylidene)butanal); EBANOL ((E)-3-methyl-5-(2,2,3-trimethylcyclopenta-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 LINALOOL ((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 2-methylbutyrate; 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);

[0119] EUCALYPTOL ((1s,4s)-1,3,3-trimethyl-2-oxabicyclo[2.2.2]octane); EUCALYPTUS GLOBULUS ESS CHINA (eucalyptus oil); 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-tetramethyldecahydronaphtho[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)-undec-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 (tetrahydro-4-methyl-2-(2-methylpropyl)-2H-pyran-4-ol); FRESKOMENTHE (2-(sec-butyl)cyclohexanone); FRUCTONE (ethyl 2-(2-methyl-1,3-dioxolan-2-yl)acetate);

[0120] 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); galbanum oil; 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 ACETONE ((E)-6,10-dimethylundeca-5,9-dien-2-one); GERANYL CROTONATE (ethyl but-2-enoate); GERANYL ISOBUTYRATE ((E)-3,7-dimethylocta-2,6-dien-1-yl 2-methylpropanoate); clove oil; 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[d][1,3]dioxole-5-carbaldehyde); HERBANATE ((2S)-ethyl 3-isopropylbicyclo[2.2.1]hepta-5-ene-2-carboxylate);

[0121] 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 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 (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-trimethylcyclohex-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);ISOBORNYL ACETATE([(1R,4S,6R)-1,7,7-trimethyl-6-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptanyl] acetate); ISOBUTYL METHOXY PYRAZINE(2-methylpropyl 3-methoxypyrazine);

[0122] ISOCYCLOCITRAL(2,4,6-trimethylcyclohex-3-ene 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-pentamethylhept-3-en-2-one); LAITONE(8-isopropyl-1-oxaspiro[4.5]decan-2-one); lavandine and lavender oil; LEAF ACETAL((Z)-1-(1-ethoxyethoxy)hex-3-ene); LEMONILE((2E,6Z)-3,7-dimethylnona-2,6-dienenitrile);

[0123] LIFFAROME ((Z)-hex-3-en-1-yl methyl carbonate); LILIAL (3-(4-(tert-butyl)phenyl)-2-methylpropanal); LIMONENE (1-methyl-4-prop-1-en-2-ylcyclohexene); LINALOOL (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); LONGIFOLENE ((3R,3aR,8R,8aS)-4,4,8-trimethyl-9-methylenedecahydro-3,8-methanoazulene); MAHONIAL ((4E)-9-hydroxy-5,9-dimethyldec-4-enal); MALTOL (3-hydroxy-2-methyl-4H-pyran-4-one); MALTYL ISOBUTYRATE (2-methyl-4-oxo-4H-pyran-3-yl 2-methylpropanoate); mandarin oil; MANZANATE (ethyl 2-methylpentanoate); MAYOL ((4-isopropylcyclohexyl)methanol); MEFROSOL (3-methyl-5-phenylpentan-1-ol); MELONAL (2,6-dimethylhept-5-enal); MENTHOL (2-isopropyl-5-methylcyclohexanol); MENTHONE (5-methyl-2-propan-2-ylcyclohexan-1-one); MERCAPTO-8-METHANE-3-ONE (mercapto-p-menthan-3-one); METHYL ANTHRANILATE (methyl 2-aminobenzoate); 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 (6-methylhepta-5-en-2-one); METHYL LAITONE (8-methyl-1-oxaspiro[4.5]decan-2-one); METHYL NONYL KETONE (undecan-2-one);

[0124] METHYL OCTYNE CARBONATE (Methyl nona-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 90 (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-methylideneoct-7-en-2-yl acetate); NEOCASPIRENE EXTRA (10-isopropyl-2,7-dimethyl-1-oxaspiro[4.5] Deca-3,6-diene); NEOFOLIONE ((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); NEROLIONE (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)-Nona-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)-Nona-6-enal); NONENOL-6-CIS ((Z)-Nona-6-en-1-ol); NOPYL ACETATE (2-(6,6-Dimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]hepta-2-en-2-yl)ethyl acetate); NYMPHEAL (3-(4-(2-Methylpropyl)-2-methylphenyl)propanal); OCTALACTONE DELTA (6-Propyltetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-one); OCTANONE-2 (Octan-2-one); ORANGE TERPENES (Orange terpenes); ORANGER CRYSTALS (1-(2-Naphthalenyl)-ethanone); ORIVONE (4-(tert-Pentyl)cyclohexanone); PANDANOL ((2-Methoxyethyl)benzene); PARA CYMENE (1-Methyl-4-propan-2-ylbenzene); PARA TERT BUTYL CYCLOHEXYL ACETATE (4-(tert-Butyl)cyclohexyl acetate);.

[0125] PARADISAMIDE (2-ethyl-N-methyl-N-(m-tolyl)butanamide); Patchouli oil; 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); PHENOXANOL (3-methyl-5-phenylpentan-1-ol); 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-dimethyl-bicyclo[3.1.1) Hepta-2-en-2-yl propanal); PIVAROSE (2,2-dimethyl-2-phenylethyl propanoate); POMAROSE ((2E,5E)-5,6,7-trimethyloct-2,5-dien-4-one); POMELOL FF (2,4,7-trimethyl-6-octen-1-ol); PRECYCLEMONE B (1-methyl-4-(4-methylpent-3-en-1-yl)cyclohex-3-ene-1-carbaldehyde); 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 (N112) (4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)butan-2-one); RHUBAFURAN (2,4-dimethyl-4-phenyltetrahydrofuran);.

[0126] ROSACETOL (2,2,2-trichloro-1-phenylethyl acetate); ROSALVA (deca-9-en-1-ol); ROSE OXIDE (4-methyl-2-(2-methylprop-1-en-1-yl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran); ROSE OXIDE (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-methyl-2-phenyl-3,6-dihydro-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); 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);

[0127] 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); Undecanone-2 (undecan-2-one); 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); Ciderwood oil; Eucalyptus oil; Galbanum oil; Clove oil; Lavandin oil; Mandarin oil; Orange terpene; Patchouli oil and Ylang-ylang oil.

[0128] The encapsulated functional material may contain additives such as solvents, oils, waxes, and fragrances. The microcapsules as a whole may also be biodegradable, which means that in addition to the shell, the encapsulated material is also biodegradable. This is particularly desirable because after the intended use of the microcapsule composition in consumer products, it flows into the environment via domestic wastewater, and biodegradation is the main process for the removal of materials in wastewater treatment facilities, environmental water, and soil.

[0129] The microcapsules can be considered biodegradable when both the encapsulated material and the encapsulated functional material are biodegradable according to at least one of the above OECD methods. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, 75% by weight or more, preferably 80% by weight or more, more preferably 85% by weight or more, even more preferably 90% by weight or more, even more preferably 95% by weight or more, and even 100% by weight of the encapsulated functional material is biodegradable.

[0130] Examples of biodegradable fragrance components include the following: ACETOPHENONE EXTRA (1-phenylethanone); ACETYL ISOEUGENOL ((E)-2-methoxy-4-(prop-1-en-1-yl)phenyl acetate); ADOXAL (2,6,10-trimethylundec-9-enal); AGRUMEX (2-(tert-butyl)cyclohexyl acetate); hexanol; decanal; undecanal; 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 (2-methylundecanal); hexanal; octanal; ALDEHYDE C 9 ISONONYLIC (3,5,5-trimethylhexanal); nonanal; ALDEHYDE ISO C 11 ((E)-undec-9-enal); ALLYL AMYL GLYCOLATE (prop-2-enyl 2-(3-methylbutoxy)acetate); ALLYL CAPROATE (prop-2-enyl hexanoate);

[0131] ALLYL CYCLOHEXYL PROPIONATE (prop-2-enyl 3-cyclohexylpropanoate); ALLYL HEXANOATE (prop-2-enyl hexanoate); ALLYL OENANTHATE (prop-2-enyl heptanoate); AMBERKETAL (3,8,8,11a-tetramethyldodecahydro-1H-3,5a-epoxynaphtho[2,1-c]oxepin); 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 ((E)-1-methoxy-4-(prop-1-en-1-yl)benzene); ANISOL ((4-methoxyphenyl)methanol); ANISYL ACETATE (4-methoxybenzyl acetate); APHERMATE (1-(3,3-dimethylcyclohexyl)ethyl formate); AUBEPINE PARA CRESOL (4-methoxybenzaldehyde); AURENTIOL PURE ((E)-methyl 2-((7-hydroxy-3,7-dimethyloctylidene)amino)benzoate); Benzaldehyde; Benzyl acetate; BENZYL ACETONE (4-phenylbutan-2-one); Benzyl alcohol; Benzyl benzoate; BENZYL CINNAMATE (benzyl 3-phenylprop-2-enoate); BENZYL SALICYLATE (benzyl 2-hydroxybenzoate); BICYCLO NONALACTONE (octahydro-2H-chromen-2-one); BOIS CEDRE ESS CHINE (cedarwood oil);

[0132] BORNEOL ((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 ACETATE; BUTYL CYCLOHEXYL ACETATE PARA (4-(tert-butyl)cyclohexyl acetate); CAMPHOR ((1S,4S)-1,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one); CARVACROL (5-isopropyl-2-methylphenol); CARVONE (2-methyl-5-prop-1-en-2-ylcyclohexa-2-en-1-one); 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);

[0133] CINNAMIC ALCOHOL ((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 3 HEXENOL ((Z)-hex-3-en-1-ol); CIS JASMONE ((Z)-3-methyl-2-(pent-2-en-1-yl)cyclopent-2-enone); CITRAL ((E)-3,7-dimethylocta-2,6-dienal); CITRAL LEMAROME (trademark) N ((E)-3,7-dimethylocta-2,6-dienal); CITRONELLAL (3,7-dimethylocta-6-enal); CITRONELLOL (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-ennitrile); CITRONELLYL PROPIONATE (3,7-dimethylocta-6-en-1-yl propionate); CLONAL (dodecanenitrile); CORANOL (4-cyclohexyl-2-methylbutan-2-ol); CORYLONE DRIED (2-hydroxy-3-methylcyclopent-2-enone);

[0134] Cosmone ((Z)-3-methylcyclotetradec-5-enone); Coumarin (2H-chromen-2-one); Cresyl Methyl Ether Para (1-methoxy-4-methylbenzene); Cumin Nitrile (4-isopropylbenzonitrile); Cyclamen Aldehyde (3-(4-isopropylphenyl)-2-methylpropanal); Cyclohexyl Ethyl Acetate (2-cyclohexylethyl acetate); Cyclohexyl Salicylate (cyclohexyl 2-hydroxybenzoate); Para Cymene (1-methyl-4-propan-2-ylbenzene); Damascenone ((E)-1-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohexa-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); Decalactone Gamma (5-hexyloxolan-2-one);

[0135] DECENAL-4-TRANS((E)-Deca-4-enal); DIHYDRO ANETHOLE(1-Methoxy-4-propylbenzene); DIHYDRO JASMONE(3-Methyl-2-pentylcyclopent-2-enone); DIHYDRO MYRCENOL(2,6-Dimethylocta-7-en-2-ol); DELTA CARENE(3,7,7-Trimethylbicyclo[4.1.0]hepta-3-ene); DIMETHYL ANTHRANILATE(Methyl 2-(methylamino)benzoate); DIMETHYL BENZYL CARBINYL ACETATE(2-Methyl-1-phenylpropan-2-yl acetate); DIMETHYL BENZYL CARBINYL BUTYRATE(2-Methyl-1-phenylpropan-2-yl butanoate); DIMETOL(2,6-Dimethylheptan-2-ol); DIPENTENE = LIMONENE(1-Methyl-4-(prop-1-en-2-yl)cyclohex-1-ene); DIPHENYL OXIDE(Oxy dibenzene); DIPHENYL OXIDE(Oxy dibenzene); DODECALACTONE DELTA(6-Heptyltetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-one); DODECALACTONE GAMMA(5-Octyloxolan-2-one); DODECENAL((E)-Dodeca-2-enal);

[0136] EBANOL ((E)-3-methyl-5-(2,2,3-trimethylcyclopenta-3-en-1-yl)penta-4-en-2-ol); ESTERLY (ethyl cyclohexyl carboxylate); ethyl acetate; ETHYL ACETOACETATE (ethyl 3-oxobutanoate); ETHYL CINNAMATE (ethyl 3-phenylprop-2-enoate); ETHYL HEXANOATE (ethyl hexanoate); ETHYL LINALOOL ((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 2-methylbutyrate; ethyl octanoate; ETHYL OENANTHATE (ethyl heptanoate); ETHYL VANILLIN (3-ethoxy-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde); ETHYLENE BRASSYLATE (1,4-dioxacycloheptadecane-5,17-dione);

[0137] EUCALYPTOL ((1s,4s)-1,3,3-trimethyl-2-oxabicyclo[2.2.2]octane); Eucalyptus oil; 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); FLORHYDRAL (3-(3-isopropylphenyl)butanal); FLORIDILE ((E)-undeca-9-enenitrile); FLOROSA (tetrahydro-4-methyl-2-(2-methylpropyl)-2H-pyran-4-ol); FRESKOMENTHE (2-(sec-butyl)cyclohexanone);

[0138] FRUTONILE (2-Methyldecanenitrile); GALBANONE PURE (1-(5,5-Dimethylcyclohex-1-en-1-yl)penta-4-en-1-one); GALBANUM ESS (Galbanum oil); GARDENOL (1-Phenylethyl acetate); GERANIOL ((E)-3,7-Dimethylocta-2,6-dien-1-ol); GERANYL ACETATE ((E)-3,7-Dimethylocta-2,6-dien-1-yl acetate); GERANYL ACETONE ((E)-6,10-Dimethylundeca-5,9-dien-2-one); GERANYL CROTONATE (Ethyl but-2-enoate); GERANYL ISOBUTYRATE ((E)-3,7-Dimethylocta-2,6-dien-1-yl 2-methylpropanoate); Clove oil; HABANOLIDE ((E)-Oxacyclohexadec-12-en-2-one); HEDIONE (Methyl 3-oxo-2-pentylcyclopentaneacetate); HELIOTROPINE CRYSTALS (Benzod[d][1,3]dioxole-5-carbaldehyde);

[0139] 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 BUTYRATE (Hexyl butanoate); HEXYL CINNAMIC ALDEHYDE ((E)-2-Benzylideneoctanal); HEXYL ISOBUTYRATE (Hexyl 2-methylpropanoate); HEXYL SALICYLATE (Hexyl 2-hydroxybenzoate); HYDROXYCITRONELLAL SYNTHETIC (7-Hydroxy-3,7-dimethyloctanal); INDOLE (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-trimethylcyclohex-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); ISOAMYL ACETATE (3-Methylbutyl acetate); ISOAMYL BUTYRATE (3-Methylbutyl butanoate); ISOBORNYL ACETATE ([(1R,4S,6R)-1,7,7-Trimethyl-6-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptanyl] acetate);

[0140] 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); ISOPROPYL METHYL-2-BUTYRATE (isopropyl 2-methylbutanoate); ISORALDEINE ((E)-3-methyl-4-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-2-en-1-yl)but-3-en-2-one); 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); LAITONE (8-isopropyl-1-oxaspiro[4.5]decan-2-one); lavandin and lavender oil; LEAF ACETAL ((Z)-1-(1-ethoxyethoxy)hex-3-ene); LEMONILE ((2E,6Z)-3,7-dimethyInona-2,6-dienenitrile);

[0141] LIFFAROME ((Z)-hex-3-en-1-yl methyl carbonate); LILIAL (3-(4-(tert-butyl)phenyl)-2-methylpropanal); LIMONENE (1-methyl-4-prop-1-en-2-ylcyclohexene); LINALOOL (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); LONGIFOLENE ((3R,3aR,8R,8aS)-4,4,8-trimethyl-9-methylenedecahydro-3,8-methanoazulene); MAHONIAL ((4E)-9-hydroxy-5,9-dimethyldec-4-enal); MALTOL (3-hydroxy-2-methyl-4H-pyran-4-one); MALTYL ISOBUTYRATE (2-methyl-4-oxo-4H-pyran-3-yl 2-methylpropanoate); mandarin oil; MANZANATE (ethyl 2-methylpentanoate); MAYOL ((4-isopropylcyclohexyl)methanol); MEFROSOL (3-methyl-5-phenylpentan-1-ol); MELONAL (2,6-dimethylhept-5-enal); MENTHOL (2-isopropyl-5-methylcyclohexanol); MENTHONE (5-methyl-2-propan-2-ylcyclohexan-1-one); MERCAPTO-8-METHANE-3-ONE (mercapto-p-cymen-3-one); METHYL ANTHRANILATE (methyl 2-aminobenzoate); METHYL ANTHRANILATE EXTRA (methyl 2-aminobenzoate); METHYL BENZOATE (methyl benzoate); 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 (6-methylhept-5-en-2-one);METHYL LAITONE (8-methyl-1-oxaspiro[4.5]decan-2-one);

[0142] METHYL OCTYNE CARBONATE (Methyl non-2-ynoate); METHYL SALICYLATE (Methyl 2-hydroxybenzoate); MUSCENONE ((Z)-3-Methylcyclopentadeca-5-enone); MYRALDENE (4-(4-Methylpenta-3-en-1-yl)cyclohex-3-ene-1-carbaldehyde); MYRCENE 90 (7-Methyl-3-methylenoocta-1,6-diene); MYSTIKAL (2-Methylundecanoic acid); NECTARYL (2-(2-(4-Methylcyclohex-3-en-1-yl)propyl)cyclopentanone); NEOFOLIONE ((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); NEROLINE CRYSTALS (2-Ethoxynaphthalene); NEROLIONE (1-(3-Methylbenzofuran-2-yl)ethanone); NERYL ACETATE ((Z)-3,7-Dimethylocta-2,6-dien-1-yl acetate); NIRVANOLIDE ((E)-13-Methyloxaspiro[15.2]pentadeca-10-en-2-one); NONADIENAL ((2E,6Z)-Nona-2,6-dienal); NONADIENOL-2,6 ((2Z,6E)-2,6-Nonadien-1-ol); NONALACTONE GAMMA (5-Pentyloxolan-2-one); NONENAL-6-CIS ((Z)-Nona-6-enal); NONENOL-6-CIS ((Z)-Nona-6-en-1-ol); NOPYL ACETATE (2-(6,6-Dimethylbicyclo[3.1.1) Hept-2-en-2-yl)ethyl acetate); NYMPHEAL(3-(4-(2-methylpropyl)-2-methylphenyl)propanal); OCTALACTONE DELTA(6-propyltetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-one); OCTANONE-2(octan-2-one); ORANGE TERPENES(orange terpenes); ORANGER CRYSTALS(1-(2-naphthalenyl)-ethanone); PANDANOL((2-methoxyethyl)benzene); PARA TERT BUTYL CYCLOHEXYL ACETATE(4-(tert-butyl)cyclohexyl acetate);.

[0143] Patchouli oil; PEACH PURE (5-heptyldihydrofuran-2(3H)-one); PELARGOL (3,7-dimethyloctan-1-ol); PHARAONE (2-cyclohexylhepta-1,6-dien-3-one); PHENOXANOL (3-methyl-5-phenylpentan-1-ol); 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 FF (2,4,7-trimethyl-6-octen-1-ol); PRECYCLEMONE B (1-methyl-4-(4-methylpent-3-en-1-yl)cyclohex-3-ene-carbaldehyde); PRENYL ACETATE (3-methylbut-2-en-1-yl acetate); PRUNOLIDE (5-pentyldihydrofuran-2(3H)-one); RASPBERRY KETONE (N112) (4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)butan-2-one);

[0144] ROSALVA (deca-9-en-1-ol); ROSE OXIDE (4-methyl-2-(2-methylprop-1-en-1-yl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran); ROSYRANE SUPER (4-methyl-2-phenyl-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran); SAFRANAL (2,6,6-trimethylcyclohexa-1,3-dienecarbaldehyde); SANDALORE EXTRA (3-methyl-5-(2,2,3-trimethylcyclopent-3-en-1-yl)pentan-2-ol); SILVANONE SUPRA (cyclopentadecanone, hexadecanolide); SILVIAL (2-methyl-3-[4-(2-methylpropyl)phenyl]propanal); 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);

[0145] 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 (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); Tridecene-2-Nitrile ((E)-trideca-2-enenitrile); Trifernal (3-phenylbutanal); Tropional (3-(benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-yl)-2-methylpropanal); Undecanone-2 (undecan-2-one); Undecatriene ((3E,5Z)-undeca-1,3,5-triene); Undecavertol ((E)-4-methyldec-3-en-5-ol); Vanillin (4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde); Velvione ((Z)-cyclohexadeca-5-enone); Violet Nitrile ((2E,6Z)-nona-2,6-dienenitrile); Yara Yara (2-methoxynaphthalene); Ciderwood oil; Eucalyptus oil; Galbanum oil; Clove oil; Lavandin oil; Mandarin oil; Orange terpene; Patchouli oil and Ylang-ylang oil. These components have the advantage of providing microcapsules with a biodegradable core.

[0146] The functional material may be a functional cosmetic ingredient. Particularly useful functional cosmetic ingredients may be selected from the group consisting of emollients, smoothing ingredients, hydrating ingredients, soothing and relaxing ingredients, decorating 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 exfoliating ingredients.

[0147] Particularly useful functional cosmetic ingredients include, but are not limited to, vegetable oils such as argan oil, jojoba oil, aloe vera oil, etc.; 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 arnica oil, artemisia oil, bark tree oil, birch leaf oil, calendula oil, cinnamon oil, echinacea oil, eucalyptus oil, ginseng oil, nutmeg oil, sunflower oil, jasmine oil, lavender oil, lotus seed oil, perilla oil, rosemary oil, sandalwood oil, tea tree oil, thyme oil, valerian oil, absinthe oil, ylang-ylang oil, and yucca oil.

[0148] 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 number: 100403-19-8).

[0149] The amount of water employed in the microcapsule composition is typically in the range of 1 to 99% by weight, more specifically 3 to 70% by weight. The microcapsule composition may be in the form of a slurry, a cake, or an extrudate. When it is intended that the microcapsule composition be provided in the form of a slurry, it typically comprises a preservation system including water in an amount of about 30 to 85% by weight, more specifically 50 to 75% by weight, even more specifically 55 to 70% by weight, and at least one non-dispersive preservative in an amount of 0.01 to 5% by weight, more specifically 0.05 to 2.5% by weight, based on the weight of the microcapsule composition.

[0150] Alternatively, when it is intended that the microcapsule composition be provided in the form of a cake or an extrudate, it typically comprises a preservation system including water in an amount of about 1 to 10% by weight, more specifically 1 to 5% by weight, and at least one non-dispersive preservative in an amount of 0.01 to 5% by weight, more specifically 0.05 to 4% by weight, based on the weight of the microcapsule composition.

[0151] Regarding the above values, the weight percentages are based on the total weight of the microcapsule composition. The weight of the functional material, expressed as a percentage relative to the total weight of the microcapsules, i.e., the sum of the weight of the functional material and the material encapsulating it, is at least 20% by weight, preferably at least 30% by weight, more preferably at least 40% by weight, even more preferably at least 50% by weight, even more preferably at least 60% by weight, even more preferably at least 70% by weight, even more preferably at least 80% by weight, and even more preferably at least 90% by weight.

[0152] In a second aspect thereof, the present invention provides the use of an antibacterial preservation system for preventing or reducing premature leakage of a functional material from a microcapsule composition containing a biodegradable encapsulating material. It is understood that any of the antibacterial preservatives and systems described above herein may be employed in this aspect of the present invention.

[0153] In its third aspect, the present invention provides a method for reducing or eliminating premature leakage of encapsulated functional materials from microcapsule compositions containing biodegradable encapsulating materials, particularly during transport and storage, the method comprising the step of adding an antibacterial preservation system to the composition, the antibacterial preservation system comprising at least one non-dispersive preservative.

[0154] In certain embodiments, the method is intended to destroy, inactivate, or control the growth of undesirable microorganisms, thereby preventing or reducing leakage of the encapsulated functional material caused by degradation of the microcapsules mediated by the microorganisms, and comprises the step of adding at least one non-dispersive preservative from a) to i) to the microcapsule composition.

[0155] In a more specific embodiment, it is as follows: a) The weight ratio of the carboxylic acid and hydroxycarboxylic acid added and their conjugate bases to the microcapsules is 0.0005 to 0.4, more specifically 0.001 to 0.2, preferably 0.002 to 0.02, and even more preferably 0.008 to 0.015; b) The weight ratio of the hydroxyester such as lactic acid monoester added to the microcapsules is 0.0001 to 0.02, more specifically 0.0005 to 0.004; c) The weight ratio of the alcohol and polyol added, more specifically the diol, even more specifically 1,2-diol, and their mixtures to the microcapsules is 0.001 to 0.4, more specifically 0.005 to 0.2; d) The weight ratio of the hydroxypyrone and hydroxylate added to the microcapsules is 0.0005 to 0.1, more specifically 0.001 to 0.04; e) The weight ratio of the phenol, phenol derivative and polyphenol added to the microcapsules is 0.0005 to 0.1, more specifically 0.001 to 0.04; f) The weight ratio of the formaldehyde releaser added to the microcapsules is 0.0001 to 0.04, more specifically 0.0005 to 0.02; g) The weight ratio of the nitrogen-containing compound added, more specifically isothiazolinone and alkaloid, to the microcapsules is 0.000005 to 0.00004, more specifically 0.00001 to 0.00002; h) The weight ratio of the surfactant added to the microcapsules is 0.001 to 0.2, more specifically 0.01 to 0.1; and i) The weight ratio of the quaternized or protonated amine added to the microcapsules is 0.0005 to 0.05, more specifically 0.001 to 0.02; Here, the weight of the microcapsules is defined as being equivalent to the solid content of the microcapsule composition.

[0156] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one preservative added to the microcapsule composition is selected from any one of groups c. to h., is non-ionic, and has a ClogP of 1.0 or less, more specifically 0.5 or less, even more specifically 0.0 or less, and even more specifically -0.5 (minus 0.5) or less. In a specific embodiment, at least one non-ionic preservative added to the microcapsule composition is selected from diols, more specifically 2-methyl-2,4-pentanediol (ClogP = -0.02), and 1,2-alkyl diols such as 1,2-propanediol (ClogP = -1.06), 1,2-butanediol (ClogP = -0.53), 1,2-pentanediol (ClogP = -0.002), and 1,2-hexanediol (ClogP = 0.53).

[0157] In certain embodiments of the invention, at least one preservative added to the microcapsule composition is a conjugate acid-base pair. The conjugate acid-base pair may be derived from a weak acid or a salt of a weak acid, provided that the protonated form of the weak acid has a ClogP of 1.00 or less, more specifically 0.50 or less, even more specifically 0.00 or less, and even more specifically -0.50 or less.

[0158] Conjugate acid-base pairs useful for the purposes of the present invention are described in more detail above herein. These preservatives can be added to the microcapsules, either alone or in combination, as described in more detail above herein.

[0159] In yet another aspect, the invention provides a microcapsule composition obtainable by the methods described herein. The microcapsule compositions of the present invention can generally be prepared according to techniques known in the art. For example, core-shell microcapsules are formed when a material that enables the formation of a capsule shell by a physicochemical process, which is present at the interface of droplets of a functional material dispersed in an aqueous phase, is rendered impermeable by a physicochemical process, resulting in the encapsulation of oil droplets containing the functional material to be encapsulated. These physicochemical processes include, by way of example, phase separation, polymer-polymer complex formation, simple and complex coacervation, crosslinking, and combinations thereof.

[0160] The "material that enables the formation of a capsule shell by a physicochemical process" means a material comprising at least one biopolymer and optionally one or more crosslinking agents. Exemplary methods for preparing a core-shell capsule type microcapsule composition include the following steps: a) providing a core composition comprising a functional material; b) providing an aqueous phase; c) emulsifying the core composition in an aqueous phase to form aqueous core composition emulsion droplets; d) forming a shell of encapsulating material at the oil / water interface of the emulsion droplets to obtain a slurry of microcapsules; and e) adding a preservation system comprising at least one non-distributive preservative.

[0161] Regarding steps a) and b), the materials used in the preparation of the shell may be contained in either the core composition or the aqueous phase, or distributed between both phases, in a manner depending on the chemical composition of the shell and the process conditions. Regarding step b), the aqueous phase may contain processing aids such as polymeric surfactants or emulsifiers to assist in stabilizing the emulsion formed in step c).

[0162] Regarding step d), the shell may be formed by phase separation of the encapsulating material(s) from the core phase and / or the aqueous phase, by polymer-polymer complex formation, and by simple and / or complex coacervation. Typically, the shell is further cross-linked by adding a chemical cross-linking agent. Regarding step e), the pH of the slurry is preferably adjusted to a value of 2 to 9, more specifically 3.5 to 6.

[0163] In certain embodiments, following step e), a filtration or flotation step is performed to separate the microcapsules from the slurry. In certain embodiments, the functional material is not provided in step a), but is provided after the slurry obtained in step e) is dried. In this case, the functional material can be diffused into the core of the microcapsules by, for example, the method disclosed in WO200103825A1, which microcapsule loading method is incorporated herein by reference.

[0164] An alternative exemplary method for preparing the microcapsule composition of the present invention, in which a functional material is dispersed in a capsule matrix, includes the following steps: a) providing a functional material; b) providing an aqueous phase containing a biodegradable encapsulating material; c) emulsifying the core composition in the aqueous phase to form an emulsion of droplets of the functional material in an external aqueous phase containing a biodegradable encapsulating material; d) dropping the emulsion into a solution containing a crosslinking agent to obtain a particulate microcapsule composition; wherein a preservation system containing at least one non-dispersible preservative is added to the aqueous phase in step b), to the emulsion formed in step c), or to the solution containing the crosslinking agent in step c).

[0165] An alternative method for preparing the microcapsule composition of the present invention, in which a functional material is dispersed in a capsule matrix, includes the following steps: a) providing a core composition, optionally containing a functional material; b) incorporating the core composition provided in step a) into a matrix containing a biodegradable encapsulating material and water by employing an extruder to form an extrudate; c) cooling and cutting the extrudate to obtain solid pieces. wherein a preservation system containing at least one non-dispersible preservative is added to the matrix of step b) or to the solid pieces obtained in step c).

[0166] When the microcapsule composition is provided in the form of a cake or an extrudate, it can additionally contain a solid carrier in which the powdered microcapsule composition is suspended. The solid carrier can be selected from the group consisting of urea, sodium chloride, sodium sulfate, sodium acetate, zeolite, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, clay, talc, calcium carbonate, magnesium sulfate, gypsum, calcium sulfate, magnesium oxide, zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, calcium chloride, potassium chloride, magnesium chloride, zinc chloride, polysaccharides, polyethylene glycol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, citric acid or any water-soluble solid acid, fatty alcohols, fatty acids and mixtures thereof.

[0167] Optionally, a preservation system containing at least one non-dispersible preservative may be added to the mixture of the microcapsules and the solid carrier. Since it is known that the risk of explosion increases as the concentration of the flavor component in the powder increases, diluting the microcapsule composition with a carrier material can provide a formulation that complies with dust explosion regulations.

[0168] When a solid carrier is used, the proportion of the microcapsule composition can be 0.1 to 50% by weight, preferably 1 to 30% by weight, and even more preferably 3 to 15% by weight, based on the weight of the total composition. The proportion of the solid carrier can be 10 to 99.9% by weight, preferably 30 to 97% by weight, and even more preferably 50 to 95% by weight, based on the weight of the entire composition. Under such conditions, from the perspective of the explosion class and the minimum ignition energy value, the powder can be maintained below the critical explosion value.

[0169] As an alternative to or in addition to the solid carrier, the powder formulation according to the present invention can also contain a fluidizing agent. The fluidizing agent is selected from the group consisting of silicon dioxide, sodium salts, calcium salts and zeolites. The fluidizing agent limits the risk of powder agglomeration and clogging and facilitates the transfer of the encapsulated composition from one container to another during handling operations.

[0170] In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a consumer product comprising the microcapsule composition described herein. The microcapsule composition is used to deliver functional materials, such as fragrance materials, to all kinds of consumer products.

[0171] In particular, the microcapsule composition is useful for delivering fragrance formulations and other laundry active agents, such as enzymes, to consumer products including laundry care detergents, laundry care conditioners, fabric refresheners, fragrance boosters, shampoos, personal care compositions such as bath gels or shower gels, liquid soaps, soap bars, hair care conditioners, personal care conditioning compositions such as body lotions or shower lotions, deodorant compositions, antiperspirant compositions, home care compositions such as hard surface cleaners, or heavy-duty detergents.

[0172] The consumer product can contain the microcapsule composition described above herein, preferably at a level of 0.005 to 5% by weight, more preferably 0.01 to 1% by weight, and even more preferably 0.02 to 0.5% by weight of the consumer product. The use of the microcapsule composition as defined herein for delivering functional materials from consumer products represents yet another aspect of the present invention. From here on, a series of examples are given to further illustrate the present invention.

[0173] Example The following is the preferred method for carrying out OECD Method 301F. Principle: A fixed amount of inoculated inorganic medium containing a test substance at a known concentration as the sole nominal organic carbon source is stirred in a sealed flask at a constant temperature. The carbon dioxide generated is absorbed by sodium hydroxide pellets. The oxygen consumption is determined by measuring the pressure drop in the respirometer flask. The biological oxygen demand (BOD) is the amount of oxygen taken up by the microbial population during the biodegradation of the test chemical (corrected for uptake by a concurrently run blank inoculum) and is expressed as a percentage of the ThOD (theoretical oxygen demand calculated from the elemental composition assuming that carbon is oxidized to carbon dioxide, hydrogen to water, and nitrogen to ammonium, nitrite, or nitrate).

[0174] The shell material of the fragrance-containing microcapsule composition is subjected to a biodegradability test after being separated from the core contents of the microcapsule composition by (i) mechanically or ultrasonically disrupting the fragrance, (ii) extracting the core phase with a suitable solvent such as hexane, methyl-tert-butyl ether, or ethyl acetate, preferably methyl-tert-butyl ether, and (iii) removing the solvent by evaporation.

[0175] Device : The respirometer used was an Oxitop Control System manufactured by Wissenschaftlich-Technische Werkstaetten (WTW), Weilheim, Germany. Water: The water used was ultrapure water with a total organic carbon content of less than 5 ppb, generated using a Millipore Direct-Q 3 UV purification system.

[0176] Stock solution of inorganic components: Solution A: KH2PO4 8.5 g K2HPO4 21.75 g Na2HPO4·2H2O 33.4 g NH4Cl 0.5 g It was dissolved in water to make up 1 liter. Solution B: 27.5 g of CaCl2 It was dissolved in water to make up 1 liter.

[0177] Solution C: 22.5 g of MgSO4·7H2O It was dissolved in water to make up 1 liter. Solution D: 0.25 g of FeCl3·6H2O 1 drop of concentrated HCl It was dissolved in water to make up 1 liter.

[0178] Inorganic medium: The inorganic medium is prepared by mixing 50 ml of solution A with 2 liters of deionized water, adding 5 ml of each of solutions B, C and D, and making up to 5 liters with deionized water. Measure the pH and adjust to 7.4 ± 0.2 using phosphoric acid or potassium hydroxide if necessary.

[0179] Inoculum: Fresh activated sludge from a biological wastewater treatment facility (Bois-de-Bay, Satigny, Switzerland) that mainly treats domestic sewage is used. The sludge is collected in the morning, washed three times in the inorganic medium (by centrifuging at 1000 g for 10 minutes, discarding the supernatant, and resuspending in the inorganic medium), and kept aerobic until used on the same day.

[0180] Determination of the dry weight of suspended solids: The dry weight of the suspended matter is measured by taking two 50 ml samples of homogenized sludge, evaporating the moisture in a steam bath, drying in an oven at 105 - 110 °C for 2 hours, and weighing the residue. Reference substance: Sodium benzoate (Fluka, Buchs, Switzerland, product number: 71300), purity: minimum 99.0%.

[0181] Preparation of the flask: The test substance sample (corresponding to 30.0 mg / l in 255 ml of the test medium) was weighed in a small aluminum boat and added directly to the Oxitop test flask. For the reference substance sample, 12.75 mg (corresponding to 50.0 mg / l in 255 ml of the test medium) was weighed in a small aluminum boat and added directly to the Oxitop test flask.

[0182] Fill the flask with 250 ml of inorganic medium. Add the sample of the test substance or reference substance. Then add 5.00 ml of suspended sludge diluted to a dry matter concentration of 1.53 g / l. Except when the test substance has acidic or alkaline properties, assume that the pH of each flask is the same as that of the inorganic medium without measuring it, in order to prevent the floating undissolved test substance from being removed by immersing a glass electrode in the test medium. It has been shown that neutral test substances, even sodium benzoate, do not affect the pH of the medium by more than 0.1 pH unit. Place two sodium hydroxide pellets in the quivers at the top of the bottle, and close the flask tightly with the measuring head. Leave the flask until it reaches equilibrium with the test temperature. The measurement is started by programming the measuring unit of the Oxitop test flask, and the test flask is placed in the temperature control cabinet of the Oxitop system. After temperature equilibrium, the controller of the instrument started data acquisition (the zero time of the experiment).

[0183] Test temperature: The test temperature is 21.5 ± 0.5 °C. Test performance: Every day, the oxygen consumption of each flask was recorded and the correct temperature and stirring were checked. At the end of the test period (usually 28 days), the pH of each flask was measured again.

[0184] The biodegradability of each data point is calculated as follows: D = (C - B) / ThOD·100% D: Biodegradation of the sample C: O2 uptake of sample and sludge B: O2 uptake of sludge (inoculum blank) ThOD: Theoretical oxygen demand

[0185] The pass level for "readily biodegradable" is to reach 60% of the theoretical oxygen demand (ThOD). This pass value must be achieved within a 10-day window out of the 28-day test period. The 10-day window must start when the degree of biodegradation reaches 10% of the theoretical oxygen demand (ThOD) and must end by the 28th day of the test.

[0186] The pass level for "inherently biodegradable" is also 60% of the theoretical oxygen demand (ThOD). However, this pass value may be reached after the 28-day test period, which is usually extended up to 60 days. The 10-day window does not apply. Further features and specific advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following examples.

[0187] Example 1: Comparison between storage systems. Core-shell microcapsules containing medium-chain triglycerides (Miglyol 812) and fragrance were obtained by applying the method described in WO2001 / 03825A1, Example 2. This method includes the following steps: a) Forming a slurry of blank core-shell microcapsules by complex coacervation of carboxymethylcellulose and gelatin having medium-chain glycerides as the core phase; b) Drying the microcapsules; c) Mixing 54.2 wt% of the dry microcapsules with 41.8 wt% of fragrance oil in the presence of 4 wt% of deionized water to permeate the blank core-shell microcapsules with the fragrance oil to obtain core-shell microcapsules containing a mixture of both medium-chain triglycerides and fragrance; The level of moisture in the shell after step c) was about 4 wt% with respect to the total weight of the microcapsules and the pH was 5.5.

[0188] In this example, at the levels reported in Table 1, various preservation systems were added to the amount of water added in step c). The samples were stored for 3 months and then subjected to a biological challenge test, where, according to the standard method of the European Pharmacopeia, 10th Edition, Monograph 5.1.3 "Effectiveness of Antimicrobial Preservation" (using the acceptance criteria according to Table 5.1.3-2), they were inoculated with a cocktail of 4 bacteria, Pseudomonia aeruginosa, Staphylococus aureus, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, and Escherichia coli, and 3 fungi, Candidia albican (yeast), Cephaloascus Albidus (yeast), and Cephaloascus Albidus (mold). The initial number (cfu value) was 500,000 colony-forming units (cfu) per gram of sample. The microbial reduction factor was expressed as the difference between the logarithm of the initial cfu value and the logarithm of the cfu value after 2 days and was calculated for each of the bacteria used. If the reduction factor of all the microorganisms tested was greater than 2, the test was considered passed.

[0189] Table 1: Preservation of Gelatin / CMC Core-Shell Microcapsules

Table 1

[0190] As is apparent from Table 1, the microcapsules containing only phenoxyethanol as a partitioning preservative did not pass the challenge test, while the microcapsules containing the non-partitioning 1,2-propanediol or conjugate acid-base pair passed the challenge test.

[0191] Example 2: Preparation of cellulose microcapsules Cellulose microcapsules are prepared by performing the following steps: a) Preparing a core composition by mixing 0.66 g of a bifunctional aminosilane (bis(3-triethoxysilylpropyl)amine), 0.48 g of Takenate D-110N (manufactured by Mitsui), and 38.5 g of a fragrance composition; b) Emulsifying the core composition obtained in step a) in a mixture of 1.35 g of a highly methoxylated grade of pectin (type APA 104, manufactured by Roeper) in 66.2 g of water by using a cross-beam stirrer with a pitched beam operating at a reactor of 300 ml and a stirring speed of 800 rpm at a temperature of 25 + / - 2 °C for 10 minutes; c) Adjusting the pH of the continuous phase of the emulsion to 6.5 + / - 0.5 with a 10% aqueous sodium hydroxide solution and maintaining the system at a temperature of 25 + / - 2 °C for 1 hour while maintaining stirring as in step b); d) Completing the formation of the core-shell capsules by gradually raising the temperature to 85 °C over 2.5 hours and maintaining the temperature at 85 °C for 1 hour while maintaining stirring similar to steps b) and c); e) Adding 1.8 g of 2-hydroxyethyl cellulose and continuing stirring at 85 °C for 30 minutes; f) Adding 0.8 g of a citric acid solution diluted to 30% with water and continuing stirring at 85 °C for 1 hour; g) Cooling the slurry of the core-shell capsules obtained in step f) to room temperature.

[0192] The solid content of each slurry was measured using a thermobalance operating at 120 °C. The solid content, expressed as the weight percentage of the initial slurry deposited on the balance, was taken when the weight change rate due to drying dropped below 0.1% / min. The solid content of the slurry was 40% by weight based on the total weight of the slurry, and the volume median diameter Dv(50) of the microcapsules was 20 μm.

[0193] Example 3: Preparation of gelatin coacervate microcapsules Gelatin coacervate microcapsules are prepared by performing the following steps: a) Preparing 165 g of a core composition consisting of medium-chain triglyceride Miglyol 812 (manufactured by Oleo); b) Providing a first aqueous phase by dissolving 16.5 g of type B fish gelatin in 148.5 g of deionized water at a temperature of 40 °C; c) Providing a second aqueous phase by dissolving 1.6 g of carboxymethyl cellulose in 77.9 g of deionized water at a temperature of 40 °C; d) Adding the core composition to the first aqueous phase under stirring at 300 rpm using a stirring paddle to obtain an emulsion, and maintaining the stirring for 30 minutes; e) Adding the second aqueous phase to the emulsion obtained in step d) under stirring; f) Adding 475 g of deionized water preheated to 40 °C while continuing the stirring; g) Adjusting the pH of the emulsion to the coacervation pH of 5.2 ± 0.5 using a 50 wt% citric acid solution to form a slurry of core-shell microcapsules, and cooling the emulsion to 28 ± 1 °C at a rate of 1 °C per 5 minutes; h) Cooling the slurry formed in g) to a temperature of 20 ± 5 °C; i) Adding 0.26 g of glutaraldehyde to obtain a slurry of cross-linked core-shell microcapsules, and leaving the slurry to stand under stirring overnight (about 15 hours). The solid content of the slurry was 32 wt% based on the total weight of the slurry, and the volume median diameter Dv(50) of the microcapsules was 40 μm.

[0194] Example 4: Distribution of storage systems In this example, 2 wt% phenoxyethanol or 1.5 wt% lactic acid and 0.5% potassium sorbate were added to each of the microcapsule slurries obtained in Examples 2 and 3, based on the weight of the aqueous phase. These values correspond to weight ratios of preservative to dry capsules of 0.03 and 0.0425 for phenoxyethanol in Examples 2 and 3, respectively; 0.0225 and 0.032 for lactic acid in Examples 2 and 3, respectively; and 0.0075 and 0.011 for potassium sorbate in Examples 2 and 3, respectively. The amount of phenoxyethanol remaining in the aqueous phase of the slurry at 25 °C as a function of time was determined analytically by gentle extraction with heptane followed by GC / MS analysis. The total amount of acid-base conjugate remaining in the aqueous phase was estimated from the pH and mass balance. The results are reported in Table 2.

[0195] Table 2: Percentage of phenoxyethanol and acid-base conjugate pairs in the aqueous phase as a function of time (wt% based on the total weight of the aqueous phase).

Table 2

[0196] As is clear from the results in Table 2, a significant partitioning of phenoxyethanol occurred spontaneously between the aqueous phase and the microcapsules in both slurries, and this phenomenon was faster and more pronounced in the case of cellulose capsules compared to gelatin coacervate capsules. After this rapid process, a slower equilibration continued over time, which was also slightly faster in the case of cellulose capsules. This confirms that the level of microbiologically active preservative in the aqueous phase decreases over time, making the slurry more susceptible to microbiological contamination. In contrast to the case of phenoxyethanol, the conjugate acid-base pair remained in the aqueous phase and effectively protected the slurry from capsule leakage induced by microbiological contamination and subsequent biodegradation.

[0197] Example 5: Storage of the microcapsule slurry of Example 2 In this example, the pH of the microcapsule slurry obtained in Example 2 was adjusted to pH = and pH = 6 with hydrochloric acid, and to pH = 8 with ammonia. These slurries were divided into two sets of samples.

[0198] In the first set of samples (Comparative Examples 2.1 to 2.3 and Examples 2.4 to 2.6 according to the present invention), various amounts of preservatives (see Table 3) were added to 100 g of the slurry, and a challenge test was conducted immediately after the addition of the one or more preservatives. The results are reported in Table 3. In the first set of samples (Comparative Examples 2.7 to 2.9 and Examples 2.10 to 2.12 according to the present invention), various amounts of preservatives (see Table 3) were added to 100 g of the slurry, and these slurries were stored at a temperature of 40 °C for 3 months and then a challenge test was conducted. The results are reported in Table 4.

[0199] Table 3 Results of the initial challenge test

Table 3

[0200] Table 4 Results of the challenge test conducted after storage at 40 °C for 3 months

Table 4

[0201] As is clear from the results in Table 3, all the slurries withstood the challenge test conducted immediately after the addition of the antibacterial preservation system to these slurries. However, in the samples where a partitioning preservative (only phenoxyethanol) was present, the protection decreased over time, while in the samples where an antibacterial preservation system containing at least one non-partitioning preservative was present, this protection was maintained.

[0202] Example 6: Storage of microcapsules without glutaraldehyde The microcapsules were manufactured as follows: a) 0.7 g of a bifunctional aminosilane (bis(3-triethoxysilylpropyl)amine), 0.5 g of Takenate D-110N (manufactured by Mitsui), and 31 g of a fragrance composition were mixed to prepare a core composition; b) The core composition obtained in step a) was used to emulsify it into a mixture of 1.0 g of a highly methoxylated grade pectin (type APA 104, manufactured by Roeper) in 55.1 g of water at a temperature of 25 + / - 2 °C for 10 minutes using a crossbeam stirrer with a pitched beam operating at a reactor of 300 ml and a stirring speed of 600 rpm; c) The temperature of the system was raised to 85 + / - 2 °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 1.3 hours while maintaining stirring as in step b); d) The system was slowly cooled to 40 °C over 2.25 hours while maintaining stirring as in step b); e) 10 g of a 10% aqueous gelatin solution was added at a temperature of 40 + / - 2 °C while maintaining stirring as in step b); f) The slurry of the core-shell capsules obtained in step e) was finally stabilized at room temperature; and g) A preservation system consisting of 0.1 g of lactic acid and 0.2 g of sodium benzoate was added to the slurry.

[0203] The solid content of the slurry (see Example 1) was 34% by weight based on the total weight of the slurry. The concentrations of lactic acid and sodium benzoate were 0.1% by weight and 0.2% by weight, respectively, and the weight ratio of the preservation system to the microcapsules was 0.009. The slurry was subjected to a challenge test and was proven to comply with the challenge test and maintain stability with respect to biological contamination over several months.

Claims

1. A microcapsule composition comprising a plurality of microcapsules, an aqueous phase containing water, and an antibacterial preservative system, wherein the microcapsules comprise an encapsulated functional material and a biodegradable encapsulating material, and the antibacterial preservative system comprises at least one preservative selected from the group consisting of: a) Carboxylic acids, hydroxycarboxylic acids, and their conjugate bases; b) Hydroxyesters such as lactate monoesters; c) Alcohols and polyols such as ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, glycerol, sorbitol, more specifically diols, even more specifically 1,2-diols such as 1,3-butylene glycol, 1,3-propylene glycol, and 1,2-alkyl diols having 2 to 7 carbon atoms; and mixtures thereof; d) Hydroxypyrones and hydroxylactones such as dehydroacetic acid or gluconodeltalactone; e) Phenols, phenol derivatives, and polyphenols such as palmitoyl epigallocatechin-3-gallate (ex-green tea extract) and pyrogallol; f) Formaldehyde-releasing agents such as formaldehyde, imidazolidinyl urea (CAS 39236-46-9), diazolidinyl urea (CAS 78491-02-8), DMDM hydantoin (1,3-bis(hydroxymethyl)-5,5-dimethylimidazolidine-2,4-dione, CAS 6440-58-0), bronopol (2-bromo-2-nitro-1,3-propanediol, (CAS 52-51-7), bronidox (5-bromo-5-nitro-1,3-dioxane, CAS 30007-47-7); g) Nitrogen-containing compositions such as quaternium-15 (1-(3-chloroallyl)-3,5,7-triaza-1-azoniaadamantane chloride, CAS 4080-31-3), benzalkonium chloride (CAS 8001-54-5), methenamine (CAS 100-97-0), caprylic hydroxamic acid, 2-hydroxyethylamine, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate; and more specifically, isothiazolinones and alkaloids such as caffeine, nicotinamide, N,N-diethylnicotinamide, and N,N-dimethylbenzamide; h) Cationic surfactants such as alkylamine salts, for example alkyl esters of lauramide arginine monohydrochloride; anionic surfactants such as alkylbenzyl sulfonates, alkyl sulfates, sulfonates and carboxylates; zwitterionic surfactants such as alkylamide betaines and alkylamide glycine acids; nonionic surfactants having a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) of 12 to 20, such as fatty acid monoethanolamides, ethoxylated fatty alcohols and alkyl polyglucosides; and C1-C8 alkyl ethers and esters of ethylene oxide oligomers and glycerol oligomers, also known as sorbo surfactants, selected surfactants; and i) Quaternized or protonated amines such as alkyl esters of lauramide arginine monohydrochloride, alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride (ADBAC), alkyldimethylethylbenzylammonium chloride (ADEBAC), and didecylammonium chloride (DDAC); and quaternized or protonated amines. **Claim 2** The composition according to claim 1, a) The weight ratio of carboxylic acids and hydroxycarboxylic acids and their conjugate bases to the microcapsules is 0.0005 to 0.4, more specifically 0.001 to 0.2, preferably 0.002 to 0.02, still more preferably 0.008 to 0.015; b) The weight ratio of alcohols and polyols, more specifically diols, even more specifically 1,2-diols, to the microcapsules is 0.001 to 0.4, more specifically 0.005 to 0.2; c) The weight ratio of hydroxyesters such as lactic acid monoester to the microcapsules is 0.0001 to 0.02, more specifically 0.0005 to 0.004; d) The weight ratio of hydroxypyrones and hydroxy lactones to the microcapsules is 0.0005 to 0.1, more specifically 0.001 to 0.04; e) The weight ratio of phenols, phenol derivatives and polyphenols to the microcapsules is 0.0005 to 0.1, more specifically 0.001 to 0.04; f) The weight ratio of formaldehyde releasers to the microcapsules is 0.0001 to 0.04, more specifically 0.0005 to 0.02; g) The weight ratio of the nitrogen-containing compound, more specifically isothiazolinone and alkaloid, to the microcapsules is from 0.000005 to 0.00004, more specifically from 0.00001 to 0.00002; h) The weight ratio of the surfactant to the microcapsules is from 0.001 to 0.2, more specifically from 0.01 to 0.1; i) The weight ratio of the quaternized or protonated amine to the microcapsules is from 0.0005 to 0.05, more specifically from 0.001 to 0.02; However, the weight of the microcapsules used here is based on the solid content of the microcapsule composition, said composition.

3. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein at least one preservative is selected from at least one of b) to f), is non-ionic, and has a ClogP of 1.0 or less, more specifically 0.5 or less, even more specifically 0.0 or less, even more specifically -0.5 or less.

4. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one preservative is a diol, more specifically a 1,2-alkyl diol such as 1,2-propanediol, 1,2-butanediol, 1,2-pentanediol and 1,2-hexanediol.

5. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least one preservative is a conjugate acid-base pair derived from a weak acid or a salt of a weak acid, wherein the protonated weak acid has a ClogP of 1.00 or less, more specifically 0.50 or less, even more specifically 0.00 or less, even more specifically -0.50 or less.

6. The composition according to claim 5, wherein the conjugate acid-base pair is derived from a weak acid selected from the group consisting of ascorbic acid, citric acid, malic acid, lactic acid, glycolic acid, levulinic acid, gluconic acid, phytic acid, glutamic acid N,N-diacetic acid (GLDA), ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), hydroxymethylaminoacetic acid.

7. The composition according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the conjugate acid-base pair is derived from a lithium salt, sodium salt, potassium salt or ammonium salt of a weak acid.

8. At least one preservative is selected from one or more of the following combinations: i) lactic acid and potassium sorbate, ii) lactic acid and sodium benzoate, iii) 1,2 - alkanediol having a ClogP value of less than 1 and phenoxyethanol, iv) gluconic acid and potassium sorbate, and v) 1,2 - alkanediol, dehydroacetic acid, benzyl alcohol and phenoxyethanol; especially here, the weight ratio of the preservative to the microcapsules is 0.002 to 0.02, and more preferably 0.008 to 0.015, the composition according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the pH of the aqueous phase of the composition is 2 to 9, more specifically 3 to 8.

10. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the biodegradable encapsulating material comprises at least one biopolymer selected from the group consisting of polysaccharides, modified polysaccharides, polyphenol compounds, proteins, modified proteins and mixtures thereof.

11. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the microcapsules are core - shell microcapsules comprising a core containing a functional material and a shell encapsulating the core, and the shell comprises a biodegradable encapsulating material.

12. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the biodegradable encapsulating material is a complex coacervate formed from at least one cationic biodegradable polymer and at least one anionic biodegradable polymer.

13. The biodegradable encapsulating material comprises a polymer stabilizer formed by the reaction of an aminosilane and a polyfunctional isocyanate, and a complex coacervate formed from at least one cationic biodegradable polymer and at least one anionic biodegradable polymer (more specifically from gelatin and pectin), where the preservation system comprises lactic acid and sodium benzoate (more specifically consists of lactic acid and sodium benzoate), and where the weight ratio of the preservation system to the microcapsules is 0.002 to 0.02, and more preferably 0.008 to 0.015, the composition according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein at least one encapsulated functional material is a fragrance composition, a flavor composition, or a cosmetic active ingredient.

15. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein at least one encapsulated functional material is biodegradable.

16. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the water content of the composition is 1 to 99% by weight, more specifically 3 to 70% by weight.

17. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the composition is in the form of a slurry, a cake or an extrudate.

18. Use of the antibacterial preservation system according to any one of claims 1 to 8 for preventing or reducing premature leakage of the functional material from the microcapsule composition containing a biodegradable encapsulating material.

19. A method for reducing or eliminating leakage of the encapsulated functional material during transportation and storage from a microcapsule composition containing a biodegradable encapsulating material, the method comprising the step of adding the antibacterial preservation system according to any one of claims 1 to 8 to the composition.

20. The method according to claim 19, a) the weight ratio of the carboxylic acid and hydroxycarboxylic acid added and their conjugate bases to the microcapsules is 0.0005 to 0.4, more specifically 0.001 to 0.2, preferably 0.002 to 0.02, even more preferably 0.008 to 0.015; b) the weight ratio of the hydroxyester such as lactic acid monoester added to the microcapsules is 0.0001 to 0.02, more specifically 0.0005 to 0.004; c) the weight ratio of the alcohol and polyol added, more specifically the diol, even more specifically 1,2-diol, and mixtures thereof to the microcapsules is 0.001 to 0.4, more specifically 0.005 to 0.2; d) the weight ratio of the hydroxypyrone and hydroxylate added to the microcapsules is 0.0005 to 0.1, more specifically 0.001 to 0.04; e) the weight ratio of the phenol, phenol derivative and polyphenol added to the microcapsules is 0.0005 to 0.1, more specifically 0.001 to 0.

04. f) The weight ratio of the formaldehyde-releasing agent added to the microcapsules is from 0.0001 to 0.04, more specifically from 0.0005 to 0.02; g) The weight ratio of the nitrogen-containing compound added, more specifically isothiazolinone and alkaloid, to the microcapsules is from 0.000005 to 0.00004, more specifically from 0.00001 to 0.00002; h) The weight ratio of the surfactant added to the microcapsules is from 0.001 to 0.2, more specifically from 0.01 to 0.1; and i) The weight ratio of the quaternized or protonated amine added to the microcapsules is from 0.0005 to 0.05, more specifically from 0.001 to 0.02, the method.

21. A microcapsule composition obtainable by the method according to Claim 19.

22. A consumer product comprising the microcapsule composition according to any one of Claims 1 to 18 and 21.

23. A consumer product according to Claim 22, selected from the group consisting of laundry care detergents, laundry care conditioners, fabric refresheners, fabric boosters, shampoos, personal care cleansing compositions such as bath gels or shower gels, liquid soaps, soap bars, hair care conditioners, personal care conditioning compositions such as bath lotions or shower lotions, deodorant compositions, antiperspirant compositions, home care compositions such as hard surface cleaners, or heavy-duty detergents.

Images