Improvements in or relating to organic compounds

Abstract

The present invention provides an encapsulated composition comprising at least one core-shell microcapsule, wherein the at least one core-shell microcapsule comprises a core comprising at least one benefit agent and a shell surrounding the core, wherein the shell comprises a network of cross-linked resin, wherein the resin comprises a terpolymer and a polymeric stabilizer, wherein the terpolymer comprises (a) moieties derived from at least one polyamine, (b) moieties derived from a pea protein, (c) moieties derived from the group consisting of alkylene and alkylenoxy moieties having 1 to 6 methylene units, preferably 1 to 4 methylene units and most preferably 1 methylene unit. The invention also relates to a method for preparing such encapsulated compositions and to their use to enhance the performance of a benefit agent in a consumer product.

Description

[0001] Improvements in or Relating to Organic Compounds

[0002] The present invention is concerned with encapsulated compositions comprising at least one coreshell microcapsule. The invention also relates to a method for preparing such encapsulated compositions and to their use to enhance the performance of a benefit agent in a consumer product.

[0003] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] It is known to incorporate encapsulated benefit agents in consumer products, such as household care, personal care, fabric care and pet care products. Benefit agents include for example fragrances, cosmetic agents, food ingredients, nutraceuticals, drugs and substrate enhancers.

[0005] Microcapsules that are particularly suitable for delivery of such benefit agents are core-shell microcapsules, wherein the core usually comprises the benefit agent and the shell is impervious or partially impervious to the benefit agent. Generally, these microcapsules are employed in aqueous media and the encapsulated benefit agents are hydrophobic. A broad selection of shell materials can be used, provided the shell material is impervious or partially impervious to the encapsulated benefit agent.

[0006] Benefit agents are encapsulated for a variety of reasons. Microcapsules can isolate and protect such materials from external suspending media, such as consumer product bases, in which they may be incompatible or unstable. They are also used to assist in the deposition of benefit agents onto substrates, such as skin or hair, fabrics or hard household surfaces in case of perfume ingredients. They can also act as a means of controlling the spatio-temporal release of a benefit agent.

[0007] In order for microcapsules to be suitable for various applications it is necessary that they are sufficiently robust (i.e. sufficiently stable and not leaky during manufacture and storage), while at the same time enabling an acceptable release profile of the core contents, as desired in each application.

[0008] Aminoplast microcapsules are among the most commonly used encapsulating media for ingredients such as fragrances, insecticides, malodour counteracting substances, fungicides and mildewicides, and the like. There are established processes of forming aminoplast microcapsules that are well documented in the prior art. Typically, in a first step an oil-in-water emulsion is formed, consisting of fragrance-containing oil droplets dispersed in an aqueous continuous phase. Thereafter, shell-forming amino-aldehyde pre-condensates contained in the emulsion are caused to form encapsulating polymeric shells around the benefit agent-containing droplets to form coreshell microcapsules. Reagents and reaction conditions are selected to ensure the amino-aldehyde pre-condensates undergo poly-condensation and crosslinking to form polymeric shells rapidly around the oil droplets, thereby retaining all, or substantially all, of the benefit agent ingredients within the droplets and preventing subsequent leakage of encapsulated benefit agent ingredients from the microcapsules. If the shells are unable to form quickly then it may be impossible to form microcapsules, or if microcapsules can be formed they may be characterized by poor benefit agent retention and may be prone to agglomeration.

[0009] For example, WO 2017 / 001672A1A1 , WO 2016 / 207180A1 and WO 2008 / 098387A1 disclose aminoplast core-shell microcapsules. These microcapsules have excellent properties, both in manufacture and application. However, consumers are increasingly concerned about using materials obtained from non-renewable sources, such as synthetic petrochemicals, as well as about the processes for manufacturing the consumer products. The “clean label” concept is one of the biggest trends of the decade. The term itself has many definitions including sustainable, naturally sourced and biodegradable ingredients as well as minimal processing and impact on the environment. Nevertheless, it is generally difficult to use natural materials or materials derived from nature to satisfy the requirements for suitable encapsulation compositions. Bio-based ingredients for customer formulations must provide a unique combination of performance and sustainability, so consumers feel confident in the safety and efficacy of these ingredients.

[0010] WO 2023 / 144286A1 discloses encapsulated compositions comprising milk proteins or milk protein derivatives that are biodegradable, whilst satisfying the required balance between robustness and benefit-agent release properties.

[0011] However, it is known that animal protein is one of the major causes of greenhouse gas emissions and subsequently a source of carbon footprint. Plant-based proteins have recently attracted particular interest owing to their sustainable origins, economical costs compared to animal-based counterparts. However, most of them have limited applications due to their inferior functionality, which is the consequence of poor-aqueous solubility, complexity and sensitivity to environmental stress conditions such as pH, salt and temperature. There is also a concern about potential allergenicity of animal proteins, which may be greatly reduced with vegetable proteins. Therefore, there is still a need to provide encapsulated compositions that comprise increased levels of materials of vegetable origin, such as pea proteins, which are biodegradable whilst satisfying the required balance between robustness and benefit-agent release properties, during all stages of manufacture, storage and use. Furthermore, the processes of manufacturing the compositions should follow the “clean label” requirements, in addition to being safe, robust and cost-efficient.

[0012] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] In a first aspect, the invention provides an encapsulated composition comprising at least one coreshell microcapsule, wherein the at least one core-shell microcapsule comprises a core comprising at least one benefit agent and a shell surrounding the core, wherein the shell comprises a network of cross-linked resin, wherein the resin comprises a terpolymer and a polymeric stabilizer, wherein the terpolymer comprises

[0014] (a) moieties derived from at least one polyamine,

[0015] (b) moieties derived from a pea protein,

[0016] (c) moieties derived from the group consisting of alkylene and alkylenoxy moieties having 1 to 6 methylene units, preferably 1 to 4 methylene units and most preferably 1 methylene unit.

[0017] In a further aspect, the invention provides methods for preparing an encapsulated composition as defined hereinbefore.

[0018] In another aspect, it is provided a consumer product comprising an encapsulated composition as defined hereinbefore.

[0019] The invention further provides use of an encapsulated composition as defined hereinbefore to improve the perception or enhance the performance of the benefit agent in a consumer product.

[0020] DEFINITIONS

[0021] The term “benefit agent” refers to any substance which, when added to a product, may improve the perception of this product by a consumer or may enhance the action of this product in an application. Examples of benefit agents include perfume ingredients, flavor ingredients, cosmetic ingredients, bioactive agents (such as bactericides, insect repellents and pheromones), substrate enhancers (such as silicones and brighteners), enzymes (such as lipases and proteases), dyes, pigments and nutraceuticals.

[0022] By “moiety” is meant a chemical entity, which is part of the terpolymer and which is derived from a particular molecule.

[0023] The term “polyamine” refers to an organic compound having more than two amino groups in the molecule.

[0024] The use of the term “derived from” does not necessarily mean that the moiety in the terpolymer is directly derived from the substance itself, although this may be (and often is) the case. In fact, one of the more convenient methods of preparing the terpolymer involves the use of alkylolated polyamines as starting materials; these combine in a single molecule both the moieties (a) and (c) mentioned hereinabove.

[0025] As is conventional in the art, a “protein” is a linear organic polymer composed of amino acid residues bonded together in a chain, forming part of (or the whole of) a protein molecule. “Protein” as used herein means a natural polypeptide, polypeptide derivative, and / or modified polypeptide. The polypeptide may exhibit an average molecular weight of from 1 ,000 Da to 40,000,000 Da and / or greater than 10,000 Da and / or greater than 100,000 Da and / or greater than 1 ,000,000 Da and / or less than 3,000,000 Da and / or less than 1 ,000,000 Da and / or less than 500,000 Da, or a range delimited by any one of these molecular weights.

[0026] The term “bio-based” relates to the origin of a material and refers to materials intentionally made from substances derived from living (or once-living) organisms, as opposed to petroleum-derived materials. The definition includes both natural materials, such as naturally-extracted proteins and polysaccharides, and materials that have undergone some degree of processing, such as cellulose fibers.

[0027] “Biodegradable” materials are defined as materials whose physical and chemical properties undergo deterioration and completely degrade when exposed to the environment. This property, therefore, relates to the end-of-life of the material. Bio-based materials can be biodegradable or non-degradable. Similarly, while many bio-based materials are biodegradable (e.g., starch), not all biodegradable materials are bio-based.

[0028] In context of the present invention, a “biodegradable” ingredient, or a “biodegradable" material in general, for instance a shell material, is a material which meets the pass criteria for “inherently biodegradable” and / or “readily biodegradable” in at least one OECD biodegradation study. In order to avoid any ambiguity, this means that if an ingredient passes one test but fails one or more other ones, the pass result overrules the other test results.

[0029] For assessment of the pass criteria for “readily biodegradable”, the biodegradation study can be selected from the group consisting of OECD Method 301 B, OECD Method 301 C, OECD Method 301 D, OECD Method 301 F and OECD Method 310.

[0030] OECD Method 301 B, OECD Method 301 C, OECD Method 301 D and OECD Method 301 F are described in the OECD Guidelines for the Testing of Chemicals, Section 3, Test No. 301 : Ready Biodegradability (Adopted: 17th July 1992; https: / / doi.org / 10.1787 / 9789264070349-en).

[0031] 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: 23 March 2006; Corrected: 26 September 2014; https: / / doi.org / 10.1787 / 9789264016316-en).

[0032] In a particular aspect of the present invention, the pass criteria for “readily biodegradable” are assessed according to OECD Method 301 F, which refers to manometric respirometry. In this method the pass level for “ready biodegradability” is to reach 60 % of theoretical oxygen demand and / or chemical oxygen demand. This pass value has to be reached in a 10-day window within the 28-day period of the test. The 10-day window begins when the degree of biodegradation has reached 10% of theoretical oxygen demand and / or chemical oxygen demand and must end before day 28 of the test.

[0033] Given a positive result in a test of ready biodegradability, it may be assumed that the chemical will undergo rapid and ultimate biodegradation in the environment (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 2003).

[0034] For assessment of the pass criteria for “inherently biodegradable”, the biodegradation study can be OECD Method 302C, but also OECD Method 301 F can be used, although with different pass criteria. Also these methods are suitable for volatile materials.

[0035] 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: 12 May 1981 ; Corrected 8 September 2009; https: / / doi.org / 10.1787 / 9789264070400-en). In a particular aspect of the present invention, the pass criteria for “inherently biodegradable” are assessed by OECD Method 302C. In this method the pass level for “inherently biodegradability” is then to reach 70 % of theoretical oxygen demand. There is no time limit to reach this level.

[0036] Biodegradation rates above 70 % may be regarded as evidence of inherent, ultimate biodegradability (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).

[0037] If OECD Method 301 F is used for assessment of the pass criteria for “inherently biodegradable”, the pass level is 60 % of theoretical oxygen demand and / or chemical oxygen demand. This pass value can be reached after the 28-day period of the test, which is usually extended to 60 days. No 10-day window applies.

[0038] In the present context, if an ingredient is an essential oil, it is considered to be a “biodegradable ingredient” if all of its constituents present at a level > 1 % fall under the definition of “inherently biodegradable” and / or “readily biodegradable” as defined herein above. However, the essential oil can also be subjected to the above-mentioned biodegradation tests.

[0039] In the context of the present invention, the leakage is considered as significantly reduced if the amount of the benefit agent that has leached in a consumer product base within a period of 1 month at 37 °C is less than 75 %, preferably less than 50 %, more preferably less than 25 %, and still more preferably less than 10 % of the nominal amount of encapsulated benefit agent.

[0040] In the context of the present invention, all percentages refer to weight percentages (% w / w), unless otherwise indicated.

[0041] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Preferred and / or optional features of the invention will now be set out. Any aspect of the invention may be combined with any other aspect of the invention unless the context demands otherwise. Any of the preferred or optional features of any aspect may be combined, singly or in combination, with any aspect of the invention, as well as with any other preferred or optional features, unless the context demands otherwise.

[0043] The applicant has surprisingly and unexpectedly found that an encapsulated composition comprising at least one core-shell microcapsule, wherein the at least one core-shell microcapsule comprises a core comprising at least one benefit agent and a shell surrounding the core, wherein the shell comprises a network of cross-linked resin, wherein the resin comprises a terpolymer and a polymeric stabilizer, wherein the terpolymer comprises

[0044] (a) moieties derived from at least one polyamine,

[0045] (b) moieties derived from a pea protein,

[0046] (c) moieties derived from the group consisting of alkylene and alkylenoxy moieties having 1 to 6 methylene units, preferably 1 to 4 methylene units and most preferably 1 methylene unit satisfies both the performance requirements (i.e. displays a suitable balance between robustness and benefit-agent release properties, during all stages of manufacture, storage and use) and is biodegradable.

[0047] The applications of most plant-based proteins in consumer products have been relatively restricted compared to animal-based proteins due to the complexity of the extraction and purification processes for their production, as well as the challenges to overcome some of their undesired sensory properties.

[0048] The present inventors have surprisingly and unexpectedly found that a pea protein can be successfully employed in the generation of a network of cross-linked resin comprising a terpolymer and a polymeric stabilizer, wherein the resin acts as a shell surrounding a core comprising at least one benefit agent. The core-shell microcapsules formed were not only biodegradable, but also retained the sensory properties and the stability and performance characteristics of the established microcapsules. The use of a pea protein in this way provides a shell that has a novel structure and has advantages over prior art capsules.

[0049] The invention, therefore, provides an encapsulated composition comprising at least one core-shell microcapsule, wherein the at least one core-shell microcapsule comprises a core comprising at least one benefit agent and a shell surrounding the core, wherein the shell comprises a network of cross-linked resin, wherein the resin comprises a terpolymer and a polymeric stabilizer, wherein the terpolymer comprises (a) moieties derived from at least one polyamine,

[0050] (b) moieties derived from a pea protein,

[0051] (c) moieties derived from the group consisting of alkylene and alkylenoxy moieties having 1 to 6 methylene units, preferably 1 to 4 methylene units and most preferably 1 methylene unit.

[0052] In one embodiment, the encapsulated composition is an encapsulated perfume composition.

[0053] Benefit Agent

[0054] Suitable benefit agents to be incorporated into the core of the core-shell microcapsules of the present invention include perfume or fragrance ingredients, flavor ingredients, cosmetic ingredients, bioactive agents (such as bactericides, insect repellents and pheromones), substrate enhancers (such as silicones and brighteners), enzymes (such as lipases and proteases), dyes, pigments and nutraceuticals

[0055] In one embodiment, the at least one benefit agent may be at least one fragrance ingredient. A comprehensive list of fragrance ingredients that may be encapsulated in accordance with the present invention may be found in the perfumery literature, for example “Perfume & Flavor Chemicals”, S. Arctander (Allured Publishing, 1994). Encapsulated fragrance ingredients according to the present invention preferably comprise fragrance ingredients selected from the group consisting of ACETYL ISOEUGENOL ((E)-2-methoxy-4-(prop-1-en-1-yl)phenyl acetate); ADOXAL (2,6,10-trimethylundec-9-enal); AGRUMEX (2-(tert-butyl)cyclohexyl acetate); ALDEHYDE C 10 DECYLIC (decanal); ALDEHYDE C 11 MOA (2-methyldecanal); ALDEHYDE C 11 UNDECYLENIC (undec-10-enal); ALDEHYDE C 110 UNDECYLIC (undecanal); ALDEHYDE C 12 LAURIC (dodecanal); ALDEHYDE C 12 MNA PURE (2-methylundecanal); ALDEHYDE C 8 OCTYLIC (octanal); ALDEHYDE C 9 ISONONYLIC (3,5,5-trimethylhexanal); ALDEHYDE C 9 NONYLIC FOOD GRADE (nonanal); ALDEHYDE C 90 NONENYLIC ((E)-non-2-enal); ALDEHYDE ISO C 11 ((E)-undec-9-enal); ALDEHYDE MANDARINE ((E)-dodec-2-enal); ALLYL AMYL GLYCOLATE (prop-2-enyl 2-(3-methylbutoxy)acetate); ALLYL CAPROATE (prop-2-enyl hexanoate); ALLYL CYCLOHEXYL PROPIONATE (prop-2-enyl 3-cyclohexylpropanoate); ALLYL OENANTHATE (prop-2-enyl heptanoate); AMBER CORE1-((2-(tert-butyl)cyclohexyl)oxy)butan-2- olAMBERKETAL (3,8,8, 11a-tetramethyldodecahydro-1 H-3,5a-epoxynaphtho[2,1-c]oxepine); AMBERMAX (1 , 3, 4,5,6, 7-hexahydro-. beta. ,1 ,1 ,5, 5-pentamethyl-2H-2,4a-Methanonaphthalene-8- ethanol); AMBRETTOLIDE ((Z)-oxacycloheptadec-10-en-2-one); AMBROFIX ((3aR,5aS,9aS,9bR)-3a,6,6,9a-tetramethyl-2,4,5,5a,7,8,9,9b-octahydro-1 H- benzo[e][1]benzofuran); AMYL BUTYRATE (pentyl butanoate); AMYL CINNAMIC ALDEHYDE ((Z)-2-benzylideneheptanal); AMYL SALICYLATE (pentyl 2-hydroxybenzoate); ANETHOLE SYNTHETIC ((E)-1-methoxy-4-(prop-1-en-1-yl)benzene); ANISYL ACETATE (4-methoxybenzyl acetate); APHERMATE (1-(3,3-dimethylcyclohexyl)ethyl formate); AUBEPINE PARA CRESOL (4- methoxybenzaldehyde); AURANTIOL ((E)-methyl 2-((7-hydroxy-3,7- dimethyloctylidene)amino)benzoate); BELAMBRE ((1 R,2S,4R)-2'-isopropyl-1 ,7,7- trimethylspiro[bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2,4'-[1 ,3]dioxane]); BENZALDEHYDE (benzaldehyde); BENZYL ACETATE (benzyl acetate); BENZYL ACETONE (4-phenylbutan-2-one); BENZYL BENZOATE (benzyl benzoate); BENZYL SALICYLATE (benzyl 2-hydroxybenzoate); BERRYFLOR (ethyl 6-acetoxyhexanoate); BICYCLO NONALACTONE (octahydro-2H-chromen-

[0056] 2-one); BOISAMBRENE FORTE ((ethoxymethoxy)cyclododecane); BOISIRIS ((1S,2R,5R)-2- ethoxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-9-methylenebicyclo[3.3.1]nonane); BORNEOL CRYSTALS ((1S,2S,4S)- 1 ,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-ol); BORNYL ACETATE ((2S,4S)-1 ,7,7- trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-yl acetate); BOURGEONAL (3-(4-(tert-butyl)phenyl)propanal); BUTYL BUTYRO LACTATE (1 -butoxy- 1-oxopropan-2-yl butanoate); BUTYL CYCLOHEXYL ACETATE PARA (4-(tert-butyl)cyclohexyl acetate); BUTYL QUINOLINE SECONDARY (2-(2- methylpropyl)quinoline); CAMPHOR SYNTHETIC ((1S,4S)-1 ,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2- one); CARVACROL (5-isopropyl-2-methylphenol); CARVONE LAEVO ((5R)-2-methyl-5-prop-1- en-2-ylcyclohex-2-en-1-one); CASHMERAN (1 ,1 ,2,3,3-pentamethyl-2,3,6,7-tetrahydro-1 H-inden- 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-1 H-5,8a-methanoazulene); CEDRYL ACETATE ((1S,6R,8aR)-1 ,4,4,6-tetramethyloctahydro-1 H-5,8a-methanoazulen-6-yl acetate); CEDRYL METHYL ETHER ((1 R,6S,8aS)-6-methoxy-1 ,4,4,6-tetramethyloctahydro-1 H-5,8a- methanoazulene); CETONE V ((E)-1-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-2-en-1-yl)hepta-1 ,6-dien-3-one); CINNAMIC ALCOHOL SYNTHETIC ((E)-3-phenylprop-2-en-1-ol); CINNAMIC ALDEHYDE ((2E)-

[0057] 3-phenylprop-2-enal); CINNAMYL ACETATE ((E)-3-phenylprop-2-en-1-yl acetate); CIS JASMONE ((Z)-3-methyl-2-(pent-2-en-1-yl)cyclopent-2-enone); CIS-3-HEXENOL ((Z)-hex-3-en- 1-ol); CITRAL TECH ((E)-3,7-dimethylocta-2,6-dienal); CITRATHAL R ((Z)-1 ,1-diethoxy-3,7- dimethylocta-2,6-diene); CITRONELLAL (3,7-dimethyloct-6-enal); CITRONELLOL EXTRA (3,7- dimethyloct-6-en-1-ol); CITRONELLYL ACETATE (3,7-dimethyloct-6-en-1-yl acetate); CITRONELLYL FORMATE (3,7-dimethyloct-6-en-1-yl formate); CITRONELLYL NITRILE (3,7- dimethyloct-6-enenitrile); CLONAL (dodecanenitrile); CORANOL (4-cyclohexyl-2-methylbutan-2- ol); COSMONE ((Z)-3-methylcyclotetradec-5-enone); COUMARIN PURE CRYSTALS (2H- chromen-2-one); CRESYL ACETATE PARA ((4-methylphenyl) acetate); CRESYL METHYL ETHER PARA (1-methoxy-4-methylbenzene); CUMIN NITRILE (4-isopropylbenzonitrile); CYCLAL C (2,4-dimethylcyclohex-3-ene-1-carbaldehyde); CYCLAMEN ALDEHYDE EXTRA (3- (4-isopropylphenyl)-2-methylpropanal); CYCLOGALBANATE (allyl 2-(cyclohexyloxy)acetate); CYCLOHEXYL ETHYL ACETATE (2-cyclohexylethyl acetate); CYCLOHEXYL SALICYLATE (cyclohexyl 2-hydroxybenzoate); CYCLOMYRAL (8,8-dimethyl-1 ,2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8- octahydronaphthalene-2-carbaldehyde); CYMENE PARA (1-methyl-4-propan-2-ylbenzene); DAMASCENONE ((E)-1-(2,6,6-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); DAMASCONE DELTA (1- (2,6,6-trimethyl-1-cyclohex-3-enyl)but-2-en-1-one); DECALACTONE GAMMA (5-hexyloxolan-2- one); DECENAL-4-TRANS ((E)-dec-4-enal); DELPHONE (2-pentylcyclopentanone); DELTA-3 CARENE ((1S,6S)-3,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[4.1.0]hept-3-ene); DIHEXYL FUMARATE (dihexyl-but- 2-enedioate); DIHYDRO ANETHOLE (1-methoxy-4-propylbenzene); DIHYDRO JASMONE (3- methyl-2-pentylcyclopent-2-enone); DIHYDRO MYRCENOL (2,6-dimethyloct-7-en-2-ol); DIMETHYL ANTHRANILATE (methyl 2-(methylamino)benzoate); DIMETHYL BENZYL CARBINOL (2-methyl-1-phenylpropan-2-ol); DIMETHYL BENZYL CARBINYL ACETATE (2- methyl-1-phenylpropan-2-yl acetate); DIMETHYL BENZYL CARBINYL BUTYRATE (2-methyl-1- phenylpropan-2-yl butanoate); DIMETHYL OCTENONE (4,7-dimethyloct-6-en-3-one); DIMETOL (2,6-dimethylheptan-2-ol); DIPENTENE (1-methyl-4-(prop-1-en-2-yl)cyclohex-1-ene); DIPHENYL OXIDE (oxydibenzene); DODECALACTONE DELTA (6-heptyltetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-one); DODECALACTONE GAMMA (5-octyloxolan-2-one); DODECENAL ((E)-dodec-2-enal); DUPICAL ((E)-4-((3aS,7aS)-hexahydro-1 H-4,7-methanoinden-5(6H)-ylidene)butanal); EBANOL ((E)-3- methyl-5-(2,2,3-trimethylcyclopent-3-en-1-yl)pent-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 METHYL-2-BUTYRATE (ethyl 2-methylbutanoate); ETHYL OCTANOATE (ethyl octanoate); ETHYL OENANTHATE (ethyl heptanoate); ETHYL PHENYL GLYCIDATE (ethyl 3- phenyloxirane-2-carboxylate); ETHYL SAFRANATE (ethyl 2,6,6-trimethylcyclohexa-1 ,3-diene-1- carboxylate); ETHYL VANILLIN (3-ethoxy-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde); ETHYLENE BRASSYLATE (1 ,4-dioxacycloheptadecane-5, 17-dione); EUCALYPTOL ((1 s,4s)-1 ,3,3-trimethyl-2- oxabicyclo[2.2.2]octane); EUGENOL (4-allyl-2-methoxyphenol); EVERNYL (methyl 2,4- dihydroxy-3,6-dimethylbenzoate); FENCHYL ACETATE ((2S)-1 ,3,3-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan- 2-yl acetate); FENCHYL ALCOHOL ((1S,2R,4R)-1,3,3-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-ol);

[0058] FENNALDEHYDE (3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-methylpropanal); FIXAMBRENE (3a, 6, 6,9a- tetramethyldodecahydronaphtho[2,1-b]furan); FIXOLIDE (1-(3,5,5,6,8,8-hexamethyl-5,6,7,8- tetrahydronaphthalen-2-yl)ethanone); FLORALOZONE (3-(4-ethylphenyl)-2,2-dimethylpropanal); FLORHYDRAL (3-(3-isopropylphenyl)butanal); FLORIDILE ((E)-undec-9-enenitrile); FLOROCYCLENE ((3aR,6S,7aS)-3a,4,5,6,7,7a-hexahydro-1 H-4,7-methanoinden-6-yl propanoate); FLOROPAL (2,4,6-trimethyl-4-phenyl-1 ,3-dioxane); FLOROSA HC (tetra hydro-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); FRUITATE ((3aS,4S,7R,7aS)-ethyl octahydro-1 H-4,7-methanoindene-3a-carboxylate); FRUTONILE (2-methyldecanenitrile); GALBANONE PURE (1-(5,5-dimethylcyclohex-1-en-1-yl)pent-4-en-1-one); GARDENOL (1- phenylethyl acetate); GARDOCYCLENE ((3aR,6S,7aS)-3a,4,5,6,7,7a-hexahydro-1 H-4,7- methanoinden-6-yl 2-methyl propanoate); GERANIOL ((E)-3,7-dimethylocta-2,6-dien-1-ol); GERANYL ACETATE ((E)-3,7-dimethylocta-2,6-dien-1-yl acetate); GERANYL CROTONATE ((E)-3,7-dimethylocta-2,6-dien-1-yl but-2-enoate); GERANYL ISOBUTYRATE ((E)-3,7- dimethylocta-2,6-dien-1-yl 2-methylpropanoate); GIVESCONE (ethyl 2-ethyl-6,6- dimethylcyclohex-2-enecarboxylate); HABANOLIDE ((E)-oxacyclohexadec-12-en-2-one); HEDIONE (methyl 3-oxo-2-pentylcyclopentaneacetate); HELIOTROPINE CRYSTALS (benzo[d][1 ,3]dioxole-5-carbaldehyde); HERBANATE ((2S)-ethyl 3-isopropylbicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5- ene-2-carboxylate); HEXENAL-2-TRANS ((E)-hex-2-enal); HEXENOL-3-CIS ((Z)-hex-3-en-1-ol); HEXENYL-3-CIS ACETATE ((Z)-hex-3-en-1-yl acetate); HEXENYL-3-CIS BUTYRATE ((Z)-hex-

[0059] 3-en-1-yl butanoate); HEXENYL-3-CIS ISOBUTYRATE ((Z)-hex-3-en-1-yl 2-methylpropanoate);

[0060] HEXENYL-3-CIS SALICYLATE ((Z)-hex-3-en-1-yl 2-hydroxybenzoate); HEXYL ACETATE (hexyl acetate); HEXYL BENZOATE (hexyl benzoate); HEXYL BUTYRATE (hexyl butanoate); HEXYL CINNAMIC ALDEHYDE ((E)-2-benzylideneoctanal); HEXYL ISOBUTYRATE (hexyl 2- methyl propanoate); HEXYL SALICYLATE (hexyl 2-hydroxybenzoate); HYDROXYCITRONELLAL (7-hydroxy-3,7-dimethyloctanal); INDOFLOR (4,4a,5,9b-tetrahydroindeno[1 ,2-d][1 ,3]dioxine); INDOLE PURE (1 H-indole); INDOLENE (8,8-di(1 H-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-methyl butyl acetate); ISOAMYL BUTYRATE (3-methyl butyl butanoate); ISOBUTYL METHOXY PYRAZINE (2-methyl propyl 3- methoxypyrazine); ISOCYCLOCITRAL (2,4,6-trimethylcyclohex-3-enecarbaldehyde); 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-1 H-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); LEAF ACETAL ((Z)-1-(1-ethoxyethoxy)hex-3-ene); LEMONILE ((2E,6Z)-3,7-dimethylnona-2,6- dienenitrile); LIFFAROME ((Z)-hex-3-en-1-yl methyl carbonate); LILIAL (3-(4-(tert-butyl)phenyl)-2- methylpropanal); 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); MAHONIAL ((4E)-9-hydroxy-5,9-dimethyl-4-decenal); MALTOL (3-hydroxy-2-methyl- 4H-pyran-4-one); MALTYL ISOBUTYRATE (2-methyl-4-oxo-4H-pyran-3-yl 2-methylpropanoate); MANZANATE (ethyl 2-methylpentanoate); MAYOL ((4-isopropylcyclohexyl)methanol); MEFROSOL (3-methyl-5-phenylpentan-1-ol); MELONAL (2,6-dimethylhept-5-enal); MERCAPTO- 8-METHANE-3-ONE (mercapto-para-menthan-3-one); METHYL ANTHRANILATE (methyl 2- aminobenzoate); METHYL BENZOATE (methyl benzoate); METHYL CEDRYL KETONE (1- ((1S,8aS)-1 ,4,4,6-tetramethyl-2,3,3a,4,5,8-hexahydro-1 H-5,8a-methanoazulen-7-yl)ethanone); METHYL CINNAMATE (methyl 3-phenylprop-2-enoate); METHYL DIANTILIS (2-ethoxy-4- (methoxymethyl)phenol); METHYL DI HYDRO ISOJASMONATE (methyl 2-hexyl-3- oxocyclopentane-1 -carboxylate); METHYL HEPTENONE PURE (6-methylhept-5-en-2-one); METHYL LAITONE (8-methyl-1-oxaspiro[4.5]decan-2-one); METHYL NONYL KETONE (undecan-2-one); METHYL OCTYNE CARBONATE (methyl non-2-ynoate); METHYL PAMPLEMOUSSE (6,6-dimethoxy-2,5,5-trimethylhex-2-ene); METHYL SALICYLATE (methyl 2- hydroxybenzoate); MUSCENONE ((Z)-3-methylcyclopentadec-5-enone); MYRALDENE (4-(4- methylpent-3-en-1-yl)cyclohex-3-enecarbaldehyde); MYRCENE (7-methyl-3-methyleneocta-1 ,6- diene); MYSTIKAL (2-methylundecanoic acid); NECTARYL (2-(2-(4-methylcyclohex-3-en-1- yl)propyl)cyclopentanone); NEOBERGAMATE FORTE (2-methyl-6-methyleneoct-7-en-2-yl acetate); NEOCASPIRENE EXTRA (10-isopropyl-2,7-dimethyl-1-oxaspiro[4.5]deca-3,6-diene); 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-methyloxacyclopentadec-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)-non-6-enal); NONENOL-6-CIS ((Z)-non-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); METHYL HEXYL KETONE (octan-2-one); GRANGER CRYSTALS (1-(2-naphtalenyl)-ethanone); ORIVONE (4-(tert-pentyl)cyclohexanone); PANDANOL ((2-methoxyethyl)benzene); PARA TERT BUTYL CYCLOHEXYL ACETATE (4-(tert-butyl)cyclohexyl acetate); PARADISAMIDE (2-ethyl-N- methyl-N-(m-tolyl)butanamide); PEACH PURE (5-heptyldihydrofuran-2(3H)-one); PELARGENE (2-methyl-4-methylene-6-phenyltetrahydro-2H-pyran); PELARGOL (3,7-dimethyloctan-1-ol); PEONILE (2-cyclohexylidene-2-phenylacetonitrile); PETALIA (2-cyclohexylidene-2-(o- tolyl)acetonitrile); PHARAONE (2-cyclohexyl hepta- 1 ,6-dien-3-one); PHENOXY ETHYL ISOBUTYRATE (2-(phenoxy)ethyl 2-methylpropanoate); PHENYL ACETALDEHYDE (2-phenyl- ethanal); PHENYL ETHYL ACETATE (2-phenylethyl acetate); PHENYL ETHYL ALCOHOL (2- phenylethanol); PHENYL ETHYL ISOBUTYRATE (2-phenylethyl 2-methylpropanoate); PHENYL ETHYL PHENYL ACETATE (2-phenylethyl 2-phenylacetate); PHENYL PROPYL ALCOHOL (3- phenylpropan-1-ol); PINENE ALPHA (2,6,6-trimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]hept-2-ene); PINENE BETA (6,6-dimethyl-2-methylenebicyclo[3.1.1]heptane); PINOACETALDEHYDE (3-(6,6- dimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]hept-2-en-2-yl)propanal); PIVAROSE (2,2-dimethyl-2-pheylethyl propanoate); POMAROSE ((2E,5E)-5,6,7-trimethylocta-2,5-dien-4-one); POMELOL (2,4,7- Trimethyl-6-octen-1-ol); PRECYCLEMONE B (1-methyl-4-(4-methylpent-3-en-1-yl)cyclohex-3- enecarbaldehyde); PRENYL ACETATE (3-methylbut-2-en-1-yl acetate); PRUNOLIDE (5- pentyldihydrofuran-2(3H)-one); RADJANOL SUPER ((E)-2-ethyl-4-(2,2,3-trimethylcyclopent-3- en-1-yl)but-2-en-1-ol); RASPBERRY KETONE (4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)butan-2-one); RHUBAFURAN (2,4-dimethyl-4-phenyltetrahydrofuran); ROSACETOL (2,2,2-trichloro-1 - phenylethyl acetate); ROSALVA (dec-9-en-1-ol); ROSE OXIDE (4-methyl-2-(2-methylprop-1-en- 1-yl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran); ROSE OXIDE CO (4-methyl-2-(2-methylprop-1-en-1-yl)tetrahydro-2H- pyran); ROSYFOLIA (1-methyl-2-(5-methylhex-4-en-2-yl)cyclopropylmethanol); ROSYRANE SUPER (4-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); SCENTAURUS CLEAN (ethyl (Z)-2-acetyl-4- methyltridec-2-enoate); SCENTAURUS JUICY (4-(dodecylthio)-4-methylpentan-2-one); SERENOLIDE (2-(1-(3,3-dimethylcyclohexyl)ethoxy)-2-methylpropyl cyclopropanecarboxylate); SILVANONE SUPRA (cyclopentadecanone, hexadecanolide); SILVIAL (2-methyl-3-[4-(2- methylpropyl)phenyl]propanal); SPIROGALBANONE (1-(spiro[4.5]dec-6-en-7-yl)pent-4-en-1- one); STEMONE ((E)-5-methylheptan-3-one oxime); STYRALLYL ACETATE (1 -phenylethyl acetate); SUPER MUGUET ((E)-6-ethyl-3-methyloct-6-en-1-ol); SYLKOLIDE ((E)-2-((3,5- dimethylhex-3-en-2-yl)oxy)-2-methylpropyl cyclopropanecarboxylate); TERPINENE ALPHA (1- methyl-4-propan-2-ylcyclohexa-1 ,3-diene); TERPINENE GAMMA (1-methyl-4-propan-2- ylcyclohexa-1 ,4-diene); TERPINEOL (2-(4-methylcyclohex-3-en-1-yl)propan-2-ol); TERPINEOL ALPHA (2-(4-methyl-1-cyclohex-3-enyl)propan-2-ol); TERPINEOL PURE (2-(4-methylcyclohex-3- en-1-yl)propan-2-ol); TERPINOLENE (1-methyl-4-(propan-2-ylidene)cyclohex-1-ene); TERPINYL ACETATE (2-(4-methyl-1-cyclohex-3-enyl)propan-2-yl acetate); TETRAHYDRO LINALOOL (3,7- dimethyloctan-3-ol); TETRAHYDRO MYRCENOL (2,6-dimethyloctan-2-ol); THIBETOLIDE (oxacyclohexadecan-2-one); THYMOL (2-isopropyl-5-methylphenol); TOSCANOL (1- (cyclopropylmethyl)-4-methoxybenzene); TRICYCLAL (2,4-dimethylcyclohex-3- enecarbaldehyde); TRIDECENE-2-NITRILE ((E)-tridec-2-enenitrile); TRIFERNAL (3- phenylbutanal); TROPIONAL (3-(benzo[d][1 ,3]dioxol-5-yl)-2-methylpropanal); TROPIONAL (3- (benzo[d][1 ,3]dioxol-5-yl)-2-methylpropanal); UNDECATRIENE ((3E,5Z)-undeca-1 ,3,5-triene); UNDECAVERTOL ((E)-4-methyldec-3-en-5-ol); VANILLIN (4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde); VELOUTONE (2,2,5-trimethyl-5-pentylcyclopentanone); VELVIONE ((Z)-cyclohexadec-5-enone); VIOLET NITRILE ((2E,6Z)-nona-2,6-dienenitrile); YARA YARA (2-methoxynaphtalene); ZINARINE (2-(2,4-dimethylcyclohexyl)pyridine; BOIS CEDRE ESS CHINE (cedar wood oil); EUCALYPTUS GLOBULUS ESS CHINA (eucalyptus oil); GALBANUM ESS (galbanum oil); GIROFLE FEUILLES ESS RECT MADAGASCAR (clove oil); LAVANDIN GROSSO OIL FRANCE ORPUR (lavandin oil); MANDARIN OIL WASHED COSMOS (mandarin oil); ORANGE TERPENES (orange terpenes); PATCHOULI ESS INDONESIE (patchouli oil); and YLANG ECO ESSENCE (ylang oil). These fragrance ingredients are particularly suitable for obtaining stable and performing microcapsules, owing to their favorable lipophilicity and olfactive performance.

[0061] In particularly preferred embodiments of the present invention, more than 75 %, preferably more than 80 %, even more preferably more than 85 %, even still more preferably more than 90 %, even yet still more preferably more than 95 %, of the fragrance ingredients are biodegradable and selected from 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); ALDEHYDE C 10 DECYLIC (decanal); ALDEHYDE C 11 UNDECYLENIC (undec-10-enal); ALDEHYDE C 110 UNDECYLIC (undecanal); ALDEHYDE C 12 LAURIC (dodecanal); ALDEHYDE C 12 MNA (2-methylundecanal); ALDEHYDE C 8 OCTYLIC (octanal); CYCLAMEN ALDEHYDE EXTRA (3-(4-isopropylphenyl)-2-methylpropanal); ALDEHYDE ISO C 11 ((E)-undec- 9-enal); ALLYL AMYL GLYCOLATE (prop-2-enyl 2-(3-methylbutoxy)acetate); ALLYL CYCLOHEXYL PROPIONATE (prop-2-enyl 3-cyclohexylpropanoate); ALLYL OENANTHATE (prop-2-enyl heptanoate); 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-1 H- benzo[e][1]benzofuran); AMYL SALICYLATE (pentyl 2-hydroxybenzoate); AUBEPINE PARA CRESOL (4-methoxybenzaldehyde); BENZYL ACETATE (benzyl acetate); BENZYL SALICYLATE (benzyl 2-hydroxybenzoate); BORNYL ACETATE ((2S,4S)-1 ,7,7- trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-yl acetate); CARVACROL (5-isopropyl-2-methylphenol); CEDRENE ((1S,8aR)-1 ,4,4,6-tetramethyl-2,3,3a,4,5,8-hexahydro-1 H-5,8a-methanoazulene);

[0062] CEDRYL ACETATE ((1 S,6R,8aR)-1 ,4,4,6-tetramethyloctahydro-1 H-5,8a-methanoazulen-6-yl acetate); CEDRYL METHYL ETHER ((1 R,6S,8aS)-6-methoxy-1 ,4,4,6-tetramethyloctahydro-1 H- 5,8a-methanoazulene); CITRAL ((E)-3,7-dimethylocta-2,6-dienal); CITRONELLOL (3,7- dimethyloct-6-en-1-ol); CITRONELLYL ACETATE (3,7-dimethyloct-6-en-1-yl acetate); COSMONE ((Z)-3-methylcyclotetradec-5-enone); CRESYL METHYL ETHER PARA (1-methoxy- 4-methylbenzene); CYCLOHEXYL ETHYL ACETATE (2-cyclohexylethyl acetate); CYCLOHEXYL SALICYLATE (cyclohexyl 2-hydroxybenzoate); 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); DECENAL-4-TRANS ((E)-dec-4-enal); DIHYDRO MYRCENOL (2,6-dimethyloct-7-en-2-ol); DIPHENYL OXIDE (oxydibenzene); DIHYDRO ANETHOLE (1-methoxy-4-propyl benzene); DIHYDRO JASMONE (3-methyl-2-pentylcyclopent-2-enone); 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); DODECALACTONE DELTA (6-heptyltetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-one); DODECALACTONE GAMMA (5-octyloxolan-2-one); DODECENAL ((E)-dodec-2-enal); EBANOL ((E)-3-methyl-5-(2,2,3-trimethylcyclopent-3-en-1- yl)pent-4-en-2-ol); ETHYL HEXANOATE (ethyl hexanoate); ETHYL METHYL-2-BUTYRATE (ethyl 2-methyl butyrate); ETHYL MALTOL (2-ethyl-3-hydroxy-4H-pyran-4-one); ETHYL OENANTHATE (ethyl heptanoate); ETHYL VANILLIN (3-ethoxy-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde); ETHYLENE BRASSYLATE (1 ,4-dioxacycloheptadecane-5, 17-dione); EUCALYPTOL ((1s,4s)-1 ,3,3-trimethyl- 2-oxabicyclo[2.2.2]octane); EUGENOL (4-allyl-2-methoxyphenol); EVERNYL (methyl 2,4- dihydroxy-3,6-dimethylbenzoate); FIXAMBRENE (3a, 6, 6,9a- tetramethyldodecahydronaphtho[2,1-b]furan); FLORHYDRAL (3-(3-isopropylphenyl)butanal); FLORIDILE ((E)-undec-9-enenitrile); GALBANONE PURE (1-(5,5-dimethylcyclohex-1-en-1- yl)pent-4-en-1-one); 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); HABANOLIDE ((E)- oxacyclohexadec-12-en-2-one); HEDIONE (methyl 3-oxo-2-pentylcyclopentaneacetate); 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 SALICYLATE ((Z)-hex-3-en-1-yl 2- hydroxybenzoate); HEXYL ACETATE (hexyl acetate); INDOLENE (8,8-di(1 H-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-methyl butyl butanoate); ISOEUGENOL ((E)-2- methoxy-4-(prop-1-en-1-yl)phenol); ISOJASMONE B 11 (2-hexylcyclopent-2-en-1-one); ISORALDEINE ((E)-3-methyl-4-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-2-en-1-yl)but-3-en-2-one); JASMONYL (3-butyl-5-methyltetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-yl acetate); LAITONE (8-isopropyl-1-oxaspiro[4.5]decan- 2-one); LEMONILE ((2E,6Z)-3,7-dimethylnona-2,6-dienenitrile); 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); MANZANATE (ethyl 2-methylpentanoate); MAYOL ((4-isopropylcyclohexyl)methanol); MEFROSOL (3-methyl-5-phenylpentan-1-ol); MELONAL (2,6-dimethylhept-5-enal); MERCAPTO-8-METHANE-3-ONE (mercapto-para- menthan-3-one); METHYL ANTHRANILATE (methyl 2-aminobenzoate); METHYL BENZOATE (methyl benzoate); METHYL DIANTILIS (2-ethoxy-4-(methoxymethyl)phenol); METHYL HEPTENONE PURE (6-methylhept-5-en-2-one); METHYL LAITONE (8-methyl-1- oxaspiro[4.5]decan-2-one); METHYL OCTYNE CARBONATE (methyl non-2-ynoate); METHYL SALICYLATE (methyl 2-hydroxybenzoate); 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); NONADIENAL ((2E,6Z)-nona-2,6-dienal); NONENAL-6-CIS ((Z)-non-6-enal); NONENOL-6-CIS ((Z)-non-6-en-1- ol); NYMPHEAL (3-(4-(2-methylpropyl)-2-methylphenyl)propanal); OCTALACTONE DELTA (6- propyltetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-one); ORANGER CRYSTALS (1-(2-naphtalenyl)-ethanone); PARA TERT BUTYL CYCLOHEXYL ACETATE (4-(tert-butyl)cyclohexyl acetate); PEACH PURE (5- heptyldihydrofuran-2(3H)-one); PELARGOL (3,7-dimethyloctan-1-ol); PHENYL ETHYL ACETATE (2-phenylethyl acetate); PINENE ALPHA (2,6,6-trimethylbicyclo[3.1 ,1]hept-2-ene); PINENE BETA (6,6-dimethyl-2-methylenebicyclo[3.1.1]heptane); POMAROSE ((2E,5E)-5,6,7-trimethylocta-2,5- dien-4-one); POMELOL FF (2,4,7-Trimethyl-6-octen-1-ol); PRENYL ACETATE (3-methylbut-2- en-1-yl acetate); PRUNOLIDE (5-pentyldihydrofuran-2(3H)-one); RASPBERRY KETONE (4-(4- hydroxyphenyl)butan-2-one); ROSALVA (dec-9-en-1-ol); ROSE OXIDE CO (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); SCENTAURUS JUICY (4-(dodecylthio)-4-methylpentan-2-one); SILVIAL (2-methyl-3-[4-(2- methylpropyl)phenyl]propanal); STYRALLYL ACETATE (1 -phenylethyl acetate); SYLKOLIDE ((E)-2-((3,5-dimethylhex-3-en-2-yl)oxy)-2-methylpropyl cyclopropanecarboxylate); TERPINENE GAMMA (1-methyl-4-propan-2-ylcyclohexa-1 ,4-diene); TERPINEOL (2-(4-methylcyclohex-3-en- 1-yl)propan-2-ol); TERPINOLENE (1-methyl-4-(propan-2-ylidene)cyclohex-1-ene); TETRAHYDRO LINALOOL (3,7-dimethyloctan-3-ol); TOSCANOL (1-(cyclopropylmethyl)-4- methoxybenzene); TRIDECENE-2-NITRILE ((E)-tridec-2-enenitrile); TRIFERNAL (3- phenylbutanal); TROPIONAL (3-(benzo[d][1 ,3]dioxol-5-yl)-2-methylpropanal); UNDECAVERTOL ((E)-4-methyldec-3-en-5-ol); YARA YARA (2-methoxynaphtalene); BOIS CEDRE ESS CHINE (cedar wood oil); EUCALYPTUS GLOBULUS ESS CHINA (eucalyptus oil); GALBANUM ESS (galbanum oil); GIROFLE FEUILLES ESS RECT MADAGASCAR (clove oil); LAVANDIN GROSSO OIL FRANCE ORPUR (lavandin oil); MANDARIN OIL WASHED COSMOS (mandarin oil); ORANGE TERPENES (orange terpenes); PATCHOULI ESS INDONESIE (patchouli oil); and YLANG ECO ESSENCE (ylang oil). These ingredients have the advantage of providing microcapsules which are particularly sustainable.

[0063] The at least one benefit agent may comprise at least one fragrance precursor, meaning a material that is capable of releasing a fragrance ingredient by the means of a stimulus, such as a change of temperature, the presence of oxidants, the action of enzymes or the action of light. Such fragrance precursors are well-known to the art.

[0064] The at least one benefit agent may also comprise at least one functional cosmetic ingredient. The functional cosmetic ingredients for use in the encapsulated composition are preferably hydrophobic. Preferably, the cosmetic ingredients have a calculated octanol / water partition coefficient (ClogP) of 1.5 or more, more preferably 3 or more. Alternatively preferred, the ClogP of the cosmetic ingredient is from 2 to 7.

[0065] Particularly useful functional cosmetic ingredients may be selected from the group consisting of emollients, smoothening ingredients, hydrating ingredients, soothing and relaxing ingredients, decorative ingredients, deodorants, anti-aging ingredients, cell rejuvenating ingredients, draining ingredients, remodeling ingredients, skin levelling ingredients, preservatives, anti-oxidants, antibacterial or bacteriostatic ingredients, cleansing ingredients, lubricating ingredients, structuring ingredients, hair conditioning ingredients, whitening ingredients, texturing ingredients, softening ingredients, anti-dandruff ingredients, and exfoliating ingredients.

[0066] Particularly useful functional cosmetic ingredients include, but are not limited to hydrophobic polymers, such as alkyldimethylsiloxanes, polymethylsil-sesquioxanes, polyethylene, polyisobutylene, styrene-ethylene-styrene and styrene-butylene-styrene block copolymers, and the like; mineral oils, such as hydrogenated isoparaffins, silicone oils and the like; vegetable oils, such as argan oil, jojoba oil, aloe vera oil, and the like; fatty acids and fatty alcohols and their esters; glycolipides; phospholipides; sphingolipides, 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, Jujube oil, Helianthus oil, Jasmine oil, Lavender oil, Lotus seed oil, Perilla oil, Rosmary oil, Sandal wood oil, Tea tree oil, Thyme oil, Valerian oil, Wormwood oil, Ylang Ylang oil, and Yucca oil.

[0067] In particular, the at least one functional cosmetic ingredient may be selected from the group consisting of Sandal wood oil, such as Fusanus Spicatus kernel oil; Panthenyl triacetate; Tocopheryl acetate; Tocopherol; Naringinin; Ethyl linoleate; Farnesyl acetate; Farnesol; Citronellyl methyl crotonate; and Ceramide-2 (1-Stearoiyl-C18-Sphingosine, CAS-No: 100403-19-8).

[0068] The at least one benefit agent may comprise agents which suppress or reduce malodour and its perception by adsorbing odour, agents which provide a warming or cooling effect, insect repellents or UV absorbers. Terpolymer

[0069] In one embodiment, the moieties (a) and (c) are combined in one pre-condensate, such as a polyamine-aldehyde pre-condensate or alkylolated polyamine.

[0070] The cross-linked resin is formed when an amino-aldehyde pre-condensate is caused to undergo a poly-condensation reaction to form the resin, and the protein or protein derivative cross-links with the poly-condensed material to form the network of cross-linked resin.

[0071] The polyamine-aldehyde pre-condensate may be any polyamine-aldehyde pre-condensate comprising the moieties described herein, and it may be prepared by any of the many suitable methods known to the art.

[0072] Example of suitable polyamine moieties include, but are not limited to, those derived from melamine and glycouril.

[0073] Amino-aldehyde pre-condensates useful in the preparation of thermoplast resins are well known in the art. Suitable amino-aldehyde pre-condensates include but are not limited to partially methylated mono- and poly-methylol-2,4,6-triamino-1 ,3,5-triazine pre-condensates, such as those commercially available under the Trade Mark CYMEL (ex Cytec Technology Corp.) or LURACOLL (ex BASF), and / or mono- and polyalkylol-glycouril pre-condensates. These alkylolated polyamines may be provided in partially alkylated forms, obtained by addition of short chain alcohols having typically 1 to 6 methylene units. These partially alkylated forms are known to be less reactive and therefore more stable during storage. Preferred polyalkylol-polyamines are polymethylolmelamines.

[0074] Alternatively, poly[N-(2,2-dimethoxy-1 -hydroxy)] polyamines can be used, including tri-[N-(2,2- dimethoxy-1 -hydroxy)] melamin and tetra-[N-(2,2-dimethoxy-1 -hydroxy)] glycouryl.

[0075] In one embodiment, the polyamine is a triamine.

[0076] In one embodiment, the triamine is melamine.

[0077] In one embodiment, the aldehyde is formaldehyde.

[0078] In one embodiment, the polyamine-aldehyde pre-condensate is a pre-condensate of melamineformaldehyde, which can be formed of methylolated melamine formed by the reaction of melamine and formaldehyde, in a manner known per se. Methylolated melamine may also be partially methoxymethylated by the action of methanol on the methylolated melamine.

[0079] In WO 2023 / 144286A1 , caseinate, an animal-based protein, has been successfully employed to generate biodegradable core-shell microcapsules, wherein the shells comprise a network of melamin-caseinate-formaldehyde cross-linked polymer.

[0080] Vegetable-based proteins are gaining attention as potential substitutes for animal-based proteins due to their renewable and biodegradable character, and good functional properties.

[0081] The major sources of vegetable proteins are grains, pulses, legumes, tubers, seeds and nuts.

[0082] Examples of commonly used vegetable proteins or vegetable protein derivatives are legume- derived proteins, such as pea proteins or chickpea proteins or seed-derived proteins, such as canola or rapeseed proteins.

[0083] Cross-linking plays an important function in determining the quality of the shell, and therefore the stability and performance of microcapsules. It might be expected that replacing a milk protein such as caseinate with a vegetable protein or a vegetable protein derivative in a crosslinked resin will provide shells with similar properties, such as biodegradability. However, it is well known that providing shells that show the desired mechanical properties during use but are also biodegradable is very hard to achieve and simply replacing the individual resin components with structurally similar compounds does not lead to similar results in terms of physical and chemical properties. Nevertheless, the applicant surprisingly found that microcapsules with good sensory properties, stability and performance as well as good biodegradability could be formed when a pea protein is employed instead of caseinate. In contrast, other vegetable-based proteins, such as potato protein hydrolizate or pea protein hydrolizate as well as canola protein, despite showing good sensory properties, stability and performance, did not show the desired biodegradability.

[0084] Therefore, in the present invention, the vegetable protein is a pea protein.

[0085] In one embodiment, the pea protein is in the form of isolate (greater than 80 wt% protein).

[0086] Therefore, in one embodiment, the terpolymer comprises a resin resulting from cross-linking of a polyamine-aldehyde pre-condensate with pea protein. Particularly stable and performant microcapsules could be obtained by selecting the weight ratio of pea protein to amino-aldehyde pre-condensate, such as melamine formaldehyde precondensate. Hence, in a particular embodiment the of the invention, the ratio of amino-aldehyde pre-condensate to pea protein is from about 0.1 to about 1.0, and more particularly about 0.2 to 0.6, even more particularly, about 0.4.

[0087] During the preparation of encapsulated compositions, it is conventional to employ a polymeric stabilizer. Polymeric stabilizers act as colloid stabilizers and are employed to stabilize the oil-water interface during microcapsule formation. The polymeric stabilizer functions in several ways: It ensures that stable oil-in-water emulsions are formed allowing migration of shell-forming materials, e.g. pre-condensate and protein or protein derivative to the oil-water interface; and it functions essentially as a template around which poly-condensation and cross-linking reactions can take place to form the encapsulating cross-linked resin shells. Colloid stabilizers also prevent the formed microcapsules from agglomerating.

[0088] In one embodiment, the polymeric stabilizer is an anionic polyelectrolyte.

[0089] Particular examples of suitable polymeric stabilizers include acrylic copolymers bearing sulfonate groups, such as those available commercially under the trade mark LUPASOL (ex BASF), such as LUPASOL PA 140 or LUPASOL VFR; copolymers of acrylamide and acrylic acid, copolymers of alkyl acrylates and N-vinylpyrrolidone, such as those available under the trade mark Luviskol (e.g. LUVISKOL K 15, K 30 or K 90 ex BASF); sodium polycarboxylates (ex Polyscience Inc.) or sodium poly(styrene sulfonate) (ex Polyscience Inc.); vinyl and methyl vinyl ether - maleic anhydride copolymers (e.g. AGRIMER™ VEMA™ AN, ex ISP), and ethylene, isobutylene or styrene-maleic anhydride copolymers (e.g. ZEMAC™). Optionally, the polymeric stabilizer is an ethylene, isobutylene or styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer.

[0090] In one embodiment, from about 75 wt % to about 100 wt % of the resin comprises

[0091] - from about 70 wt % to about 95 wt %, preferably from about 80 wt % to about 95 wt %, of terpolymer; and

[0092] - from about 5 wt % to about 30 wt %, preferably from 5 wt % to about 15 wt %, of polymeric stabilizer. In one embodiment, the terpolymer comprises

[0093] - from about 10 wt % to about 50 wt %, preferably from about 20 wt % to about 40 wt % of moieties derived from a polyamine-aldehyde pre-condensate; and

[0094] - from about 50 wt % to about 90 wt %, preferably from about 60 wt % to about 80 wt % of moieties derived from a pea protein.

[0095] In one embodiment, the terpolymer comprises

[0096] (a) from about 5 wt % to about 25 wt %, preferably from about 10 wt % to about 20 wt % of moieties derived from at least one polyamine,

[0097] (b) from about 50 wt % to about 90 wt %, preferably from about 60 wt % to about 80 wt % of moieties derived from a pea protein,

[0098] (c) from about 5 wt % to about 25 wt %, preferably from about 10 wt % to about 20 wt % of moieties derived from the group consisting of alkylene and alkylenoxy moieties having 1 to 6 methylene units, preferably 1 to 4 methylene units and most preferably 1 methylene unit.

[0099] In an encapsulated composition of the present invention, the microcapsule shells may be formed of a single layer, bi-layer or multi-layer, that is, three or more layers. The layers may be compositionally the same, that is, the amino-aldehyde pre-condensate and pea protein employed may be the same, or they may be different. Optionally, each layer may be homogeneous or gradual.

[0100] Encapsulated compositions of the present invention are prepared in the form of an aqueous slurry, having typically 20 to 50% solids content, and more typically 30 to 45% solid content, wherein the term “solids content” refers to the combined weight of the microcapsule core and shell material expressed as a percentage of the total weight of the slurry.

[0101] In order to offer an optimal balance between stability, deposition on substrate and performance, the volume median size (d50) of the microcapsules, measured by laser diffraction, can be from 1 to 60 pm, preferably from 5 to 30 pm, most preferably from 10 to 25 pm. Microcapsules having diameters smaller than 5 pm show large surface to volume ratios and are therefore more prone to leaching, whereas, as the number of microcapsule decreases with increasing diameter, too large microcapsules may not be numerous enough to provide noticeable benefits. Furthermore, large microcapsules may be visible in the product or may visibly stain the substrate. The slurry may contain formulation aids, such as formaldehyde scavengers, preservatives and stabilizing and viscosity control hydrocolloids.

[0102] Typical formaldehyde scavengers comprise compounds capable of binding free formaldehyde in aqueous media, such as sodium sulfite, melamine, glycine, ethylene urea and carbohydrazine. Optionally, the formaldehyde scavenger is ethylene urea.

[0103] Typically, the slurries comprise anti-microbial preservatives, which are well known in the art. Examples of suitable preservatives are 1 , 2- benzisothiazolin-3-one, phenoxy ethanol, caprylyl glycol and combinations thereof.

[0104] Suspending aid, such as a hydrocolloid suspending aid assist in the stable physical dispersion of the microcapsules and prevent any creaming or coalescence. Any additional adjuvants conventional in the art may also be added during further-processing.

[0105] The encapsulated compositions of the present invention are further characterized in that microcapsules have a nominal shell to core mass ratio in the range from 0.1 to 30%, preferably from 1 to 25% and most preferably from 10 to 20%.

[0106] Method

[0107] The invention can be further understood with reference to a method of preparing the encapsulated composition.

[0108] Generally, encapsulated compositions may be prepared by first forming an oil-in-water emulsion consisting of benefit agent-containing oil droplets dispersed in an aqueous continuous phase. Thereafter, amino-aldehyde pre-condensate is caused to undergo a poly-condensation reaction to form an encapsulating resin shell around the benefit agent-containing droplets, which resin is cross-linked with a pea protein.

[0109] In a further aspect, therefore, it is provided a method of making an encapsulated composition as defined herein. The method comprises the steps of: a) Emulsifying an oil phase comprising at least one benefit agent with an aqueous phase comprising a polymeric stabilizer in the presence of a polyamine-aldehyde pre-condensate to form an emulsion of oil droplets in the aqueous phase; b) Dissolving or dispersing a pea protein in the emulsion of step a); c) Dissolving or dispersing a second portion of a polyamine-aldehyde pre-condensate in the composition resulting from step b); d) Causing the polyamine-aldehyde pre-condensate and the pea protein to form a shell at the oilwater interface of the emulsified oil droplets, thereby forming a slurry of microcapsules.

[0110] The benefit agent, polymeric stabilizer, polyamine-aldehyde pre-condensate and pea protein are as defined herein.

[0111] After formation of the microcapsules, the encapsulated composition is usually cooled to room temperature. Before, during or after cooling, the encapsulated composition may be further processed. Further processing may include treatment of the composition with anti-microbial preservatives and formaldehyde scavengers, as defined herein. Further processing may also include the addition of a suspending aid, such as a hydrocolloid suspending aid to assist in the stable physical dispersion of the microcapsules and prevent any creaming or coalescence. Any additional adjuvants conventional in the art may also be added during further-processing.

[0112] Oil-in-water emulsions have the advantage of providing a plurality of droplets that may be used as template for shell formation, wherein the shell is built around each of these droplets. Additionally, the droplet size distribution may be controlled in emulsions, by controlling the conditions of emulsifications, such as stirring speed and stirrer geometry. As a result, a plurality of microcapsules is obtained with controlled average size and size distribution, wherein the oil phase is encapsulated and forms thereby the core of the microcapsules.

[0113] The appropriate stirring speed and geometry of the mixer can be selected in order to obtain the desired average droplet size and droplet size distribution. It is a characteristic of the present invention that the polymeric stabilizer has sufficient interfacial activity and is able to promote the formation of dispersed oil droplets with desirable droplet size.

[0114] In a process according to the present invention, a 1.5 liter vessel equipped with a turbine, or a cross-beam stirrer with pitched beam, such as a Mig stirrer, and having a stirrer diameter to reactor diameter of 0.6 to 0.8 may be used. Microcapsules formed in such reactor may have a volume median size (d50) of 30 microns or less, at a stirring speed from about 100 to about 1200 rpm. The person skilled in the art will understand that such stirring conditions may change depending on the size of the reactor and of the batch size, on the exact geometry of the stirrer on the ratio of the diameter of the stirrer to the diameter of the reactor diameter ratios. In particular, the method comprises the steps of:

[0115] (i) mixing and dissolving a polymeric stabilizer in water under moderate shear;

[0116] (ii) adjusting the temperature to about 30 °C, and more particularly 35±2°C and the pH to 4.6±2 before adding the amino-aldehyde pre-condensate and the benefit agent;

[0117] (iii) emulsifying the mixture, whereby the stirring speed and the geometry of the mixer is selected to obtain a desired average droplet size range and droplet size distribution;

[0118] (iv) raising the temperature to an elevated temperature above about 70°C, more particularly above about 75°C, (e.g. to 75°C±1°C) over a time period of about 1 hour, and more particularly 90 minutes;

[0119] (v) adding a pea protein, while the mixture is still at the elevated temperature (e.g. 75°C);

[0120] (vi) Adding a second portion of amino-aldehyde pre-condensate while maintaining the reaction at this elevated temperature for a sufficient period of time (e.g. about 1 hour) to effect polycondensation and cross-linking reactions, thereby to form microcapsules

[0121] (vii) optionally, adding a formaldehyde scavenger, while the mixture is still at the elevated temperature (e.g. 75°C), before cooling the mixture to room temperature; and

[0122] (viii) optionally adding preservatives.

[0123] The method according to the present invention may comprise the additional step of drying the microcapsules, in order to obtain a microcapsule power.

[0124] Optionally, additional materials may be added to this powder. Suitable additional materials are, for example, carrier materials, such as salts, silicates, clays and carbohydrates, fire proofing materials; functional materials, such as fragrance ingredients, cosmetic ingredients, biologically active ingredients, and substrate enhancers; additional encapsulating materials, such as polysaccharides, proteins, alkoxysilanes, synthetic polymers and copolymers, surfactants and waxes.

[0125] Drying methods such as spray-drying, spray-coating, belt and drum drying may be employed. These methods are well known to the art.

[0126] In particular, the drying process may be accompanied by an additional encapsulation process, wherein a functional material is entrapped in an additional encapsulating material. For example, the slurry to be dried may comprise, additionally to the core-shell microcapsules obtained in the process according to the present invention, at least one non-encapsulated functional material and at least one water-soluble encapsulating material, so that the functional material, that is not encapsulated in the core-shell microcapsule, is entrapped in the water-soluble encapsulating material during drying. Typically, the at least one water-soluble encapsulating material comprises at least one hydrocolloid, such as starch octenyl succinate and gum acacia. The hydrocolloid promotes and stabilizes the dispersion of the non-encapsulated material in the aqueous phase of the slurry, so that, upon drying, a matrix is formed around or coexisting with the core-shell microcapsules.

[0127] The benefit agent that is encapsulated in the core-shell microcapsules may comprise a first fragrance, whereas the functional material entrapped in the water-soluble encapsulating material may comprise a second fragrance, wherein the first and second fragrances are identical or different.

[0128] Combining at least two encapsulation processes has the advantage of providing different mechanisms for releasing the benefit agent and the functional material, for example a combination of moisture-induced and mechanical stress-induced releases.

[0129] The drying step may also be accompanied or followed by mechanical or thermal treatment, such as spheronization, granulation and extrusion.

[0130] In accordance with the process of the present invention, if desired, core-shell microcapsules may be further coated with a functional coating. A functional coating may entirely or only partially coat the microcapsule shell. Regardless whether the functional coating is charged or uncharged, its primary purpose is to alter the surface properties of the microcapsule to achieve a desirable effect, such as to enhance the deposition of the microcapsule on a treated surface, such as a fabric, human skin or hair. Functional coatings may be post-coated to already formed microcapsules, or they may be physically incorporated into the microcapsule shell during shell formation. They may be attached to the shell by physical forces, physical interactions, such as hydrogen bonding, ionic interactions, hydrophobic interactions, electron transfer interactions, or they may be covalently bonded to the shell.

[0131] The encapsulated composition may be in the form of liquid slurries, powder, granulates, flakes or extrudates. The composition may be used as such, for example as fragrance booster, or in diluted form in a product.

[0132] Encapsulated compositions in the form of liquid slurries may comprise from 10 % to 50 %, more particularly from 25 % to 45 %, of core-shell microcapsules. Encapsulated compositions in solid form may comprise from 1 to 100 % of core-shell microcapsules. However, depending on the application or on the nature of the functional material, it may be preferable to limit or, on the contrary, to maximize the level of core-shell microcapsules in the solid form. For example, a limitation of the level of the core-shell microcapsules in the solid may be particularly desired if the encapsulated material is flammable, reactive, pungent or expensive.

[0133] Hence, the optimal level of encapsulated fragrance ingredients in a solid composition may be less than 50 %, more particularly less than 35 % and still more particularly less than 20 %, or even less than 15 %, depending on the flammability of such fragrance ingredients and the associated explosion risks.

[0134] The encapsulated fragrance may be diluted in a carrier material mentioned herein above.

[0135] Consumer Product

[0136] The present invention also relates to a consumer product comprising an encapsulated composition as described hereinabove. The consumer product may be selected from the group consisting of household (home) care, personal care, fabric care and pet care products.

[0137] Suitable home care products include hard surface cleaners, heavy duty detergents and detergent powders, air care compositions.

[0138] Suitable personal care products include cleansing compositions (such as shampoos, bath and shower gels, liquid soaps, soap bars), conditioning compositions (such as hair care conditioners), bath and shower lotions, oral care compositions, deodorant compositions, antiperspirant compositions, skin care products

[0139] Suitable fabric care compositions include laundry care detergents, laundry care conditioners, fabric refreshers, scent boosters.

[0140] Encapsulated compositions according to the present invention are particularly useful when employed as perfume delivery vehicles in consumer goods that require, for delivering optimal perfumery benefits, that the microcapsules adhere well to a substrate on which they are applied. Such consumer goods include hair shampoos and conditioners, as well as textile-treatment products, such as laundry detergents and conditioners. The encapsulated composition of the present invention, presented in the form of a slurry of microcapsules suspended in an aqueous suspending medium may be incorporated as such in a consumer product base. If desired, however, the slurry may be dried to present the encapsulated composition in dry powder form. Drying of a slurry of microcapsules is conventional, and may be carried out according techniques known in the art, such as spray-drying, evaporation, lyophilization or use of a desiccant. Typically, as is conventional in the art, dried microcapsules will be dispersed or suspended in a suitable powder, such as powdered silica, which can act as a bulking agent or flow aid. Such suitable powder may be added to the encapsulated composition before, during or after the drying step.

[0141] Yet another aspect of the present invention relates to the use of an encapsulated composition or consumer product as described hereinabove to improve the perception or enhance the performance of the benefit agent in the consumer product.

[0142] The present invention is further illustrated by means of the following non-limiting examples:

[0143] EXAMPLES

[0144] The solid content of each of the slurries was measured by using a thermobalance operating at 120°C. The solid content, expressed as weight percentage of the initial slurry deposited on the balance was taken at the point where the drying-induced rate of weight change had dropped below 0.1 % / min. The ratio of the measured solid content to the theoretical solid content calculated based on the weight of perfume and encapsulating materials involved is taken as a measurement of encapsulation yield, expressed in %.

[0145] Viscosity was measured at 25 °C at 21 s1with a RheolabQC rheometer from Anton Paar.

[0146] Formaldehyde residues were measured using LC-UV derivatization, C18 column. The results are expressed as an average of four measurements.

[0147] Examples 1-3 show examples of preparation of core-shell microcapsule slurries with shells comprising various cross-linked resins. Example 1: Melamine-Caseinate-Formaldehyde cross-linked polymer (reference, prepared according to Example 1 of WO2023 / 144286A1)

[0148] In a 1.5 L reactor, 61 grams of a 10% ZeMac solution is added followed by 293.5 grams of water. The pH is increased using a 30% NaOH solution to reach 4.6 + / - 0.2. The overhead stirrer speed is set at 650 RPM while adding 330.6 grams of fragrance. The temperature is set at 35 °C before adding 13.1 grams of Luracoll (70% melamine-formaldehyde pre-condensate). The pH at this stage is around 4.9.

[0149] After 30 minutes at 35 °C, 30 minutes of ramping up to 75 °C and 1h 30 minutes at 75 °C, the stirring is increased to 800 RPM prior to adding Caseinate solution to the medium (203 grams, 15% Sodium Caseinate, viscosity = 1400 mPa.s @ 21 s1, pH 5.6, prepared from purified Casein, Aldrich and 30% NaOH). This brings the pH at 5.3 in the reactor.

[0150] After 30 minutes, 6 grams of Luracoll are added and stirring is continued for another hour at 75 °C. Subsequently, ethylene urea is added as a scavenger of free formaldehyde. The slurry is cooled down to 25 °C in 1 hour. Preservatives phenoxy ethanol (4 g) and caprylyl glycol (4 g) are added. The slurry is sieved (212 microns) prior to characterisation.

[0151] Example 2: Melamine-Veqetable Protein-Formaldehyde cross-linked polymer

[0152] In a 1.5 L reactor, 61 grams of a 10% ZeMac solution is added followed by 280 grams of water. The pH is increased using a 30% NaOH solution (about 4.8 grams) to reach 4.6 + / - 0.2. The overhead stirrer speed is set at 650 RPM while adding 350 grams of fragrance. The temperature is set at 35 °C before adding 13 grams of Luracoll (70% melamine-formaldehyde pre-condensate).

[0153] After 30 minutes at 35 °C, 30 minutes of ramping up to 85 °C and 1h 30 minutes at 85 °C, the stirring is increased to 800 RPM prior to adding vegetable protein solution to the medium (203 grams, 15% solution). This brings the pH at 5.3 in the reactor.

[0154] After 30 minutes, 6 grams of Luracoll is added and the mixture is kept under stirring for another hour at 85 °C. Subsequently, ethylene urea is added as a scavenger of free formaldehyde. The slurry is cooled down to 25 °C in 1 hour. Preservatives, Proxel GXL (0.5 gram) is added. The slurry is sieved (212 microns) prior to characterisation. Example 3: Melamine-Veqetable Protein Hydrolizate-Formaldehyde cross-linked polymer

[0155] In a 1.5 L reactor, 61 grams of a 10% ZeMac solution is added followed by 445 grams of water. The pH is increased using a 30% NaOH solution to reach 4.6 + / - 0.2. The overhead stirrer speed is set at 650 RPM while adding 350 grams of fragrance. The temperature is set at 35 °C before adding 13 grams of Luracoll (70% melamine-formaldehyde pre-condensate).

[0156] After 30 minutes at 35 °C, 30 minutes of ramping up to 85 °C and 1h 30 minutes at 80 °C, the stirring is increased to 800 RPM prior to adding vegetable protein hydrolizate (30 g) to the medium.

[0157] After 30 minutes, 6 grams of Luracoll is added and this is kept under stirring for another hour at 85 °C. Subsequently, ethylene urea is added as a scavenger of free formaldehyde. The slurry is cooled down to 25 °C in 1 hour. Preservatives, phenoxy ethanol (4 g) and caprylyl glycol (4 g) are added. The slurry is sieved (212 microns) prior to characterisation.

[0158] Example 4: Comparison of physical properties of the microcapsules of Examples 1 to 3

[0159] Table 1 lists the vegetable proteins and vegetable protein hydrolizates employed in the formation of microcapsules of Examples 2 and 3, along with the reference example employing the animal- derived caseinate (Example 1).

[0160] The solid content, volume median size (d50), viscosity and biodegradability of the slurries obtained in Examples 1 to 3 are also shown in Table 1.

[0161] Table 1 : Properties of the microcapsules in Examples 1 to 3

[0162] *comparative

[0163] It can be observed that microcapsules can be prepared using vegetable proteins or vegetable protein hydrolizates. The encapsulation efficiency is similar for the microcapsules prepared with caseinate and those prepared with vegetable proteins or vegetable protein hydrolizates.

[0164] It can also be observed that the size of microcapsules satisfies the preferred specification requirements for the volume median size d50 of between 10-25 pm in all cases.

[0165] All slurries exhibit relatively low viscosity below 530 mPa.s at 21 s1shear rate suggesting an efficient coupling of the reactants at the interface with no or limited free macromolecules in the aqueous phase.

[0166] The biodegradability of the shell of the microcapsules prepared in Examples 1 to 3 was measured according to OECD Method 301 F after 60 Days. In addition to the shell comprising caseinate (Example 1), only the shell employing the pea protein isolate ((Example 2.1) passed the biodegradability criteria required by OECD Method 301 F, being measured as 60% after 60 days.

[0167] Therefore, the microcapsules comprising pea protein unexpectedly show biodegradability in the same range as the microcapsules employing the animal-derived caseinate, therefore passing the criteria for biodegradable microcapsules.

[0168] Example 5: Comparison of olfactive performance

[0169] The olfactive performance of the microcapsules was assessed by a panel of 4 experts who rated the odor intensity on a scale of 1-5 (1 = barely noticeable, 2 = weak, 3 = medium, 4 = strong and 5 = very strong). When relevant, qualitative comments on the perceived odor direction were recorded.

[0170] For application in laundry care, the samples were evaluated in an unperfumed commercial proprietary fabric care softener. The aforementioned microcapsule slurries were added to a fabric care conditioner composition under gentle stirring with a paddle mixer, so that the level of slurry in the fabric care conditioner base was 0.5 % referred to the total weight of the fabric care softener base. The pre-rub olfactive evaluation was performed after drying the toweling for 24 h at room temperature. The post-rub evaluation was performed by gently rubbing one part of the toweling. For application in hand washing, the following protocol was followed:

[0171] Wash load: 2 pieces of 100% cotton terry towels. (Approximately 70-80 g, 30 cm x 30 cm) Water volume: 1 L

[0172] Water details: Standard tap water, with 57 ppm water hardness

[0173] 1 . Shake fabric softener composition.

[0174] 2. Add 5 ml fabric softener into a bowl containing 1 L of water.

[0175] 3. Stir solution for 30 seconds to ensure product is evenly dispersed in the water.

[0176] 4. Soak the towels for 10 minutes. Wring the towel. Evaluate the “intensity on wet”.

[0177] 5. Drying indoors - Hang the towel on a rack for over 24 hours to dry inside a drying room with help of a fan (temperature 25 °C, with no air-condition) during the drying process.

[0178] 6. Assess the towel for “intensity on dry” for 24 hours (pre-rub & post-rub).

[0179] The performance of microcapsules on terry toweling is shown in Table 2.

[0180] Table 2: Olfactive performance of microcapsules of Examples 1 to 3 on terry toweling (hand washing at 40 °C)

[0181] *comparative

[0182] The data in Table 2 shows that the microcapsules of the present invention are as performant as the reference microcapsules of Example 1 comprising caseinate.

Claims

Claims1. An encapsulated composition comprising at least one core-shell microcapsule, wherein the at least one core-shell microcapsule comprises a core comprising at least one benefit agent and a shell surrounding the core, wherein the shell comprises a network of cross-linked resin, wherein the resin comprises a terpolymer and a polymeric stabilizer, wherein the terpolymer comprises(a) moieties derived from at least one polyamine,(b) moieties derived from a pea protein,(c) moieties derived from the group consisting of alkylene and alkylenoxy moieties having 1 to 6 methylene units, preferably 1 to 4 methylene units and most preferably 1 methylene unit.

2. The encapsulated composition according to claim 1 , wherein from about 75 wt % to about 100 wt % of the resin comprises- from about 70 wt % to about 95 wt %, preferably from about 80 wt % to about 95 wt %, of the terpolymer; and- from about 5 wt % to about 30 wt %, preferably from 5 wt % to about 15 wt %, of the polymeric stabilizer.

3. The encapsulated composition according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the terpolymer comprises(a) from about 5 wt % to about 25 wt %, preferably from about 10 wt % to about 20 wt % of moieties derived from at least one polyamine,(b) from about 50 wt % to about 90 wt %, preferably from about 60 wt % to about 80 wt % of moieties derived from a pea protein,(c) from about 5 wt % to about 25 wt %, preferably from about 10 wt % to about 20 wt % of moieties derived from the group consisting of alkylene and alkylenoxy moieties having 1 to 6 methylene units, preferably 1 to 4 methylene units and most preferably 1 methylene unit.

4. The encapsulated composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the terpolymer comprising the moieties a), b) and c) is a condensation product of a polyaminealdehyde pre-condensate cross-linked with moieties derived from a pea protein.

5. The encapsulated composition according to claim 4, wherein i) the polyamine is a triamine, optionally melamine; and / or ii) the aldehyde is formaldehyde.

6. The encapsulated composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pea protein is a protein isolate comprising more than 80% protein.

7. The encapsulated composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the polymeric stabilizer is an anionic polyelectrolyte, optionally wherein the polymeric stabilizer is selected from the group consisting of acrylic copolymers bearing sulfonate groups, copolymers of acrylamide and acrylic acid, copolymers of alkyl acrylates and N-vinylpyrrolidone, sodium polycarboxylates or sodium poly(styrene sulfonate), vinyl and methyl vinyl ether - maleic anhydride copolymers and ethylene, isobutylene or styrene-maleic anhydride copolymers.

8. The encapsulated composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the microcapsule is a formed of a single layer, bi-layer or multi-layer, optionally wherein each layer is homogeneous or gradual.

9. The encapsulated composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the benefit agent is selected from the group consisting of perfume or fragrance ingredients and cosmetic ingredients, preferably perfume or fragrance ingredients.

10. Method for making an encapsulated composition according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising the steps of: a) Emulsifying an oil phase comprising at least one benefit agent with an aqueous phase comprising a polymeric stabilizer in the presence of a polyamine-aldehyde pre-condensate to form an emulsion of oil droplets in the aqueous phase; b) Dissolving or dispersing a pea protein in the emulsion of step a);c) Dissolving or dispersing a second portion of a polyamine-aldehyde pre-condensate in the composition resulting from step b); d) Causing the polyamine-aldehyde pre-condensate and the pea protein to form a shell at the oil-water interface of the emulsified oil droplets, thereby forming a slurry of microcapsules. 11 . A consumer product comprising the encapsulated composition according to any one of claims1 to 9, wherein the consumer product is selected from the group consisting of a personal care product, a fabric care product, a home care product or a pet care product.

12. Use of an encapsulated composition according to any one of claims 1 to 9 or of a consumer product according to claim 11 to improve the perception or enhance the performance of the benefit agent in a consumer product.

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