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 silk protein, optionally a functional silk protein, and the composition further comprises a humectant and a suspending agent. 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 as well as the consumer product.

Description

[0001] Improvements in or Relating to Organic Compounds

[0002] The present invention relates to a microcapsule composition comprising at least one core-shell microcapsule, to a method for preparing such a microcapsule composition, to a consumer product comprising such a microcapsule composition, as well as to the use of such a microcapsule composition to enhance the performance of a benefit agent in a consumer product.

[0003] SEQUENCE LISTING

[0004] The instant application contains a Sequence Listing which has been submitted electronically in XML format, compliant with WIPO Standard ST.26, and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Said XML copy, created on February 18, 2026, is named 31412PCT_SL.xml and is 7,909 bytes in size.

[0005] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is known to incorporate encapsulated benefit agents in consumer products, such as household care, personal care and fabric care products. Benefit agents include for example fragrances, cosmetic agents, food ingredients, nutraceuticals, drugs and substrate enhancers.

[0007] Encapsulated benefit agents are known in the art. They may be formed by a process of coating small solid particles or liquid droplets in a thin film of shell material. Although virtually any coating material, conceptually at least, is a candidate capsule shell material, in practice for commercial and regulatory reasons, to-date, there are relatively few materials that have been used in commercial products. Capsule shell material selection is determined by a number of factors including final application, cost, availability, processing ease, and inherent barrier properties. Defining an optimal shell material for a given application can be complex since many interacting parameters determine success of a given capsule shell material.

[0008] Microcapsules that are particularly suitable for delivery of benefit agents are core-shell microcapsules, wherein the core usually comprises the benefit agent and the shell is impervious or at least 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 at least partially impervious to the encapsulated benefit agent.

[0009] 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 31412 PCTthey may be incompatible or unstable. They are also used to assist in the deposition of benefit agents onto substrates, such as skin or hair, or also 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.

[0010] A wide variety of encapsulating media as well as benefit agents suitable for the preparation of encapsulated compositions has been proposed in the prior art. Such encapsulating media include synthetic resins made from polyamides, polyureas, polyurethanes, polyacrylates, melamine-derived resins, or mixtures thereof. Encapsulated benefit agent compositions are typically prepared in the form of aqueous slurries.

[0011] 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 or bio-based 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.

[0012] Bio-based and biodegradable 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. For instance, protein-based and especially gelatin-based coreshell microcapsules are well known in the art.

[0013] Nature-derived polymers such as proteins are attractive chemical building blocks to encapsulate agents and have been explored in the recent years by the industry. Many of these materials are also biodegradable. Therefore, there is a continuous need to provide encapsulated composition comprising increased levels of natural materials with good predicted biodegradability, such as proteins. Furthermore, the processes of manufacturing the compositions should follow the “clean label” requirements, in addition to being safe, robust and cost-efficient.

[0014] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0015] In a first aspect, the invention provides a microcapsule composition comprising at least one core-shell microcapsule, wherein 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 comprises a silk protein, and the composition further comprises a humectant and a suspending agent.

[0016] 31412 PCTIn a second aspect, a method for preparing the microcapsule composition as described herein is provided.

[0017] In a further aspect, it is provided the use of a microcapsule composition as described herein to enhance the performance of a benefit agent in a consumer product.

[0018] The invention further provides a consumer product comprising a microcapsule composition as described herein.

[0019] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 shows a microscopic image of an oil in water emulsion of a fragrance in the presence of functional silk protein, at pH = 8.3.

[0021] Figure 2a shows a microscopic image of an oil in water emulsion of a fragrance in the presence of functional silk protein and xanthan gum, at pH = 7.5. Figure 2b shows a microscopic image of this composition after scratching.

[0022] Figure 3a shows a microscopic image of an oil in water emulsion of a fragrance in the presence of functional silk protein and xanthan gum, at pH = 5.3. Figure 3b shows a microscopic image of this composition after scratching.

[0023] Figure 4a shows a microscopic image of a microcapsule composition resulting from the emulsification of a fragrance in the presence of a functional silk protein, xanthan gum and glycerol, at pH = 5.3. Figure 4b shows a microscopic image of this composition after scratching.

[0024] Figure 5a shows a microscopic image of a microcapsule composition resulting from the emulsification of another fragrance in the presence of a functional silk protein, xanthan gum and glycerol, at pH = 5.3. Figure 5b shows a microscopic image of this latter composition after scratching.

[0025] DEFINITIONS

[0026] 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 / 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.

[0027] The term “microcapsules” refers to capsules of sizes ranging from 0.1 µm to 500 µm.

[0028] 31412 PCTThe 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.

[0029] “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.

[0030] 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.

[0031] In the present context, a moiety is a part of a molecule that is given a name because it is identified as a part of other molecules as well.

[0032] In the context of the present invention, the term “on dry basis” refers to the weight of the compound or composition, wherein the presence of water is neglected for the purposes of the calculation.

[0033] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] 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.

[0035] The applicant has surprisingly and unexpectedly found that a composition comprising at least one core-shell microcapsule, wherein a shell or membrane surrounds a core comprising benefit agent can be obtained by employing a silk protein, in the presence of a humectant and a suspending agent.

[0036] Such a shell or membrane has a higher percentage of bio-based components than those currently known in the art, giving rise to an essentially fully bio-based encapsulating material.

[0037] 31412 PCTThe silk protein, humectant, suspending agent, as well as the resulting membrane or shell are preferably biodegradable, providing an additional benefit.

[0038] The invention, therefore, provides a microcapsule 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 comprises a silk protein, and the composition further comprises a humectant and a suspending agent.

[0039] Benefit Agent

[0040] Suitable benefit agents to be incorporated into the core of the core-shell microcapsules of the present invention include perfume / fragrance ingredients, flavor ingredients, cosmetic ingredients, bioactive agents (such as bactericides, insect repellents and pheromones), substrate enhancers (such as silicones and brighteners), enzymes, dyes, pigments and nutraceuticals.

[0041] 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 CORE 1-((2-(tert-butyl)cyclohexyl)oxy)butan-2-ol, AM BERKETAL (3,8,8, 11 a-tetramethyldodecahydro-1 H-3,5a-epoxynaphtho[2,1-c]oxepine); AMBERMAX (2-(2,2,7,7- Tetramethyltricyclo[6.2.1.0](1,6)undec-4-en-5-yl)propan-1-ol and 2-(2, 2,7,7- Tetramethyltricyclo[6.2.1.0](1,6)undec-5-en-5-yl)propan-1-ol); AMBRETTOLIDE ((Z)-oxacycloheptadec-10-en-2-one); AM BROFIX ((3aR,5aS,9aS,9bR)-3a,6,6,9a-tetramethyl- 31412 PCT2,4,5,5a,7,8,9,9b-octahydro-1H-benzo[e][1]benzofuran); AMYL BUTYRATE (pentyl butanoate); AMYL CINNAMIC ALDEHYDE ((Z)-2-benzylideneheptanal); AMYL SALICYLATE (pentyl 2-hydroxybenzoate); ANETHOLE SYNTHETIC ((E)-1-methoxy-4-(prop-1-en-1-yl)benzene); ANISYL ACETATE (4-methoxybenzyl acetate); APHERMATE (1-(3,3-dimethylcyclohexyl)ethyl formate); AUBEPINE PARA CRESOL (4-methoxybenzaldehyde); AURANTIOL ((E)-methyl 2-((7-hydroxy-3,7-dimethyloctylidene)amino)benzoate); BELAMBRE ((1 R,2S,4R)-2'-isopropyl-1,7,7-trimethylspiro[bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2,4'-[1,3]dioxane]);

[0042] BENZALDEHYDE (benzaldehyde); BENZYL ACETATE (benzyl acetate); BENZYL ACETONE (4-phenylbutan-2-one); BENZYL BENZOATE (benzyl benzoate); BENZYL SALICYLATE (benzyl 2-hydroxybenzoate); BERRYFLOR (ethyl 6-acetoxyhexanoate); BICYCLO NONALACTONE (octahydro-2H-chromen-2-one); BOISAMBRENE FORTE ((ethoxymethoxy)cyclododecane); BOISIRIS ((1S,2R,5R)-2-ethoxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-9-methylenebicyclo[3.3.1]nonane); BORNEOL CRYSTALS ((1S,2S,4S)-1,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-ol); BORNYL ACETATE ((2S,4S)-1,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-yl acetate); BOURGEONAL (3-(4-(tert-butyl)phenyl)propanal); BUTYL BUTYRO LACTATE (1-butoxy-1-oxopropan-2-yl butanoate); BUTYL CYCLOHEXYL ACETATE PARA (4-(tert-butyl)cyclohexyl acetate); BUTYL QUINOLINE SECONDARY (2-(2-methylpropyl)quinoline); CAMPHOR SYNTHETIC ((1S,4S)-1,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one); CARVACROL (5-isopropyl-2-methylphenol); CARVONE LAEVO ((5R)-2-methyl-5-prop-1-en-2-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-1H-5,8a-methanoazulen-6-yl acetate); CEDRYL METHYL ETHER ((1 R,6S,8aS)-6-methoxy-1, 4,4,6-tetramethyloctahydro-1H-5,8a-methanoazulene); CETONE V ((E)-1-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-2-en-1-yl)hepta-1,6-dien-3-one); CINNAMIC ALCOHOL SYNTHETIC ((E)-3-phenylprop-2-en-1-ol); CINNAMIC ALDEHYDE ((2E)-3-phenylprop-2-enal); CINNAMYL ACETATE ((E)-3-phenylprop-2-en-1-yl acetate); CIS JASMONE ((Z)-3-methyl-2-(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- 31412 PCTdimethylcyclohex-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 ((1s, 4s)-1, 3, 3-trimethyl-2-oxabicyclo[2.2.2]octane); EUGENOL (4-allyl-2-methoxyphenol); EVERNYL (methyl 2,4-dihydroxy-3,6-dimethylbenzoate); FENCHYL ACETATE ((2S)-1,3,3-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-yl acetate); FENCHYL ALCOHOL ((1S,2R,4R)-1,3,3-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-ol); FENNALDEHYDE (3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-methylpropanal); FIXAMBRENE (3a, 6, 6,9a-tetramethyldodecahydronaphtho[2,1-b]furan); FIXOLIDE (1-(3, 5, 5,6,8, 8-hexamethyl-5, 6,7,8-31412 PCTtetrahydronaphthalen-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 HC (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); 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-1H-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-3-en-1-yl butanoate); HEXENYL-3-CIS ISOBUTYRATE ((Z)-hex-3-en-1-yl 2-methylpropanoate); HEXENYL-3-CIS SALICYLATE ((Z)-hex-3-en-1-yl 2-hydroxybenzoate); HEXYL ACETATE (hexyl acetate); HEXYL BENZOATE (hexyl benzoate); HEXYL BUTYRATE (hexyl butanoate); HEXYL CINNAMIC ALDEHYDE ((E)-2-benzylideneoctanal); HEXYL ISOBUTYRATE (hexyl 2-methylpropanoate); HEXYL SALICYLATE (hexyl 2-hydroxybenzoate); HYDROXYCITRON ELLAL (7-hydroxy-3,7-dimethyloctanal); INDOFLOR (4,4a,5,9b-tetrahydroindeno[1,2-d][1,3]dioxine); INDOLE PURE (1H-indole); INDOLENE (8,8-di(1H-indol-3-yl)-2,6-dimethyloctan-2-ol); IONONE BETA ((E)-4-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-1-en-1-yl)but-3-en-2-one); IRISANTHEME ((E)-3-methyl-4-(2,6,6-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); ISOBUTYL METHOXY PYRAZINE (2-methylpropyl 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 31412 PCTQUINOLINE (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-1H-5,8a-methanoazulen-7-yl)ethanone); METHYL CINNAMATE (methyl 3-phenylprop-2-enoate); METHYL DIANTILIS (2-ethoxy-4-(methoxymethyl)phenol); METHYL DIHYDRO ISOJASMONATE (methyl 2-hexyl-3-oxocyclopentane-1-carboxylate); METHYL HEPTENONE PURE (6-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-tri methyl hex-2-ene); METHYL SALICYLATE (methyl 2- hydroxy benzoate); 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); 31412 PCTNONENAL-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); ORANGER 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-cyclohexylhepta-1,6-dien-3-one); PHENOXY ETHYL ISOBUTYRATE (2-(phenoxy)ethyl 2-methylpropanoate); PHENYL ACETALDEHYDE (2-phenyl-ethanal); PHENYL ETHYL ACETATE (2-phenylethyl acetate); PHENYL ETHYL ALCOHOL (2-phenylethanol); PHENYL ETHYL ISOBUTYRATE (2-phenylethyl 2-methylpropanoate); PHENYL ETHYL PHENYL ACETATE (2-phenylethyl 2-phenylacetate); PHENYL PROPYL ALCOHOL (3-phenylpropan-1-ol); PINENE ALPHA (2,6,6-trimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]hept-2-ene); PINENE BETA (6,6-dimethyl-2-methylenebicyclo[3.1.1]heptane); PINOACETALDEHYDE (3-(6,6-dimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]hept-2-en-2-yl)propanal); PIVAROSE (2,2-dimethyl-2-phenylethyl propanoate); POMAROSE ((2E,5E)-5,6,7-trimethylocta-2,5-dien-4-one); POMELOL (2,4,7-Trimethyl-6-octen-1-ol); PRECYCLEMONE B (1-methyl-4-(4-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- 31412 PCTdimethylhex-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.

[0043] 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); AM BROFIX ((3aR,5aS,9aS,9bR)-3a,6,6,9a-tetramethyl- 31412 PCT2,4,5,5a,7,8,9,9b-octahydro-1H-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-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); 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 (oxydi benzene); DIHYDRO ANETHOLE (1-methoxy-4-propylbenzene); 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); 31412 PCTINDOLENE (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); 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 31412 PCT((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.

[0044] 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.

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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; 31412 PCTvegetable 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.

[0048] 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).

[0049] 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.

[0050] In one embodiment, the benefit agent is biodegradable.

[0051] In one embodiment, the benefit agent is present in the composition in between about 71 wt% to about 86 wt% on dry basis. In one embodiment, the benefit agent is present in the composition in about 81 wt% on dry basis.

[0052] Silk Protein

[0053] Silk is a natural protein-based material which allows many applications, including home and personal care. It is bio-sourced and readily biodegradable. Silk protein has good deposition properties on hair and skin. Moreover, it is known that silk breaks with drying, which renders silk protein a good candidate for core-shell encapsulation, where olfactory performance is expected during and after the application stage.

[0054] Silk is composed of 70-80% fibroin (amino acids sequence: glycine - serine - glycine - alanine - glycine - alanine) and 20-30% sericin (mainly constituted of serine, glycine, aspartic acid and threonine). Fibroin is located in the centre of the 3D structure of the silk protein, whereas sericin surrounds the fibroin. Fibroin is capable to form beta sheets. Contrary to alpha helices or random coils, beta sheets assemble forming layers, bound by hydrogen bonds. This autoassembly process is believed to be akin a "physical cross-linking" of silk protein. The present

[0055] 31412 PCTinvention exploits this property with the view of forming a membrane / shell at the interface between a hydrophobic core and a hydrophilic suspending medium.

[0056] In one embodiment, the silk protein of the present invention is conventional silk protein, obtained by extraction from the cocoons of the larvae of the mulberry silkworm Bombyx mori.

[0057] However, the traditional method of silk production, is not sustainable. Therefore, in one embodiment, a functional silk protein, obtained by fermentation, is advantageously employed.

[0058] The silk protein employed in the encapsulated composition of the present invention may comprise at least one functional silk protein selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, and mixtures thereof. These recombinant proteins are based on the repetitive core sequence of the dragline silk protein ADF4 (Araneus diadematus fibroin 4) of the European garden spider (Araneus diadematus).

[0059] The biotechnological production of these functional silk proteins delivers them in high amounts and with consistent quality (Heidebrecht, A.; Scheibel, T. Recombinant production of spider silk proteins. Adv. Appl. Microbiol. 2013, 82, 115-153). Typically, bacteria are cultivated in a natural growth medium using sugar from plant sugar as feed. The proteins are not hydrolysed.

[0060] A suitable method for the preparation of the functional silk proteins of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:3 and SEQ ID NO:4 is described in example 1 of WO 2019 / 092073, with the C8 protein corresponding to SEQ ID NO:1, the C16 protein corresponding to SEQ ID NO:2, the C32 protein corresponding to SEQ ID NO:3, and the C48 protein corresponding to SEQ ID NO:4 of the present disclosure, respectively.

[0061] The functional silk proteins are biodegradable and can be produced in a highly sustainable and cruelty-free manner.

[0062] The functional silk proteins used in the encapsulated composition of the present invention have structure- and / or film-forming properties. The biotechnologically produced functional silk proteins have a precisely defined amino acid composition and corresponding weight. It is believed that due to their defined composition, wherein glycine and alanine represent more than 50 % of the aminoacid composition, leading to their ability to self-assemble by forming hydrogen bonds, the functional silk proteins are able to form beta-sheets that can act as a membrane or shell around the core of the core-shell microcapsules.

[0063] In one embodiment of the present invention, the functional silk protein comprises functional silk proteins of SEQ ID NO:1 and of SEQ ID NO:4. The functional silk protein may optionally further comprise one or more of the other functional silk proteins of SEQ ID NO:2 and / or SEQ 31412 PCTID NO:3. This sequence can be found in the dragline silk fibers spun by spiders, which is known for its excellent mechanical properties.

[0064] In one embodiment the silk protein is vegan.

[0065] In one embodiment, the silk protein is present between about 1.7 wt% to about 2.5 wt% in the composition, on dry basis.

[0066] In one embodiment the silk protein is functional silk protein of SEQ ID NO:1 and of SEQ ID NO:4 and it is present in the composition in about 1.9 wt% on dry basis.

[0067] Humectant

[0068] A humectant is a hygroscopic (water-absorbing) molecule that has the capability to absorb / retain water molecules. A humectant is a molecule with several hydrophilic groups, most often hydroxyl groups.

[0069] It is believed that the conformation change from alpha helices to beta sheets of silk fibroin is promoted by decreasing the water concentration. Therefore, without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that the humectant helps with formation of the beta sheets at the oil / water interface by locally capturing water molecules. Therefore, without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that the humectant molecules are comprised within the beta sheets that make up the shells of the core. shell microcapsules. As such, the humectant molecules are interspersed within the shells of the core-shell microcapsules.

[0070] Examples of suitable humectants include polyethylene glycol, 1,2-propane diol, 1,3-propane diol, hexylene glycol, butylene glycol, sugar alcohols (sugar polyols) such as glycerol, sorbitol, xylitol, maltitol and mixtures thereof.

[0071] In one embodiment, the humectant is glycerol. It is believed that the presence of glycerol affects the silk protein, especially the silk fibroin crystallization behavior (i.e. the formation of the p-sheets) by formation of stabilizing physical cross-links in the films.

[0072] In one embodiment, the humectant is present in the composition between about 11.7 wt% to about 25 wt%, on dry basis.

[0073] In one embodiment, the humectant is glycerol and it is present in the composition in about 16.2 wt% on dry basis.

[0074] 31412 PCTSuspending agent

[0075] The role of the suspending agent is to create a reversible macromolecular network in the agueous phase, in order to minimize the phase separation, while maintaining a relatively low viscosity at moderate shear rates (5-21s-1). It is believed that by increasing the viscosity of the agueous phase, the speed of coalescence of the droplets of fragrance is decreased, thereby allowing to obtain a stable emulsion, in a short period of time.

[0076] A wide variety of suspending agents are known in the art, and include polysaccharides such as xanthan gum, diutan gum, fermentation-derived cellulose, tara gum, arabic gum, starch, guar gum; clays, silicas; acrylate / aminoacrylate copolymers; acrylates / acrylic polymers; synthetic polymers and copolymers, such as poly(vinyl pyrrolidone-co-vinyl acetate), poly(vinyl alcohol-co-vinyl acetate), poly(maleic acid), poly(alkyleneoxide), poly(vinylmethylether), poly(vinylether-co-maleic anhydride), and the like, as well as poly-(ethyleneimine), poly((meth)acrylamide), poly(alkyleneoxide-co-dimethylsiloxane), poly(amino dimethylsiloxane), and mixtures thereof.

[0077] In one embodiment, the suspending agent is a polysaccharide. In one embodiment, the suspending agent is selected form the group consisting of xanthan gum, diutan gum, fermentation-derived cellulose, tara gum, arabic gum, starch, guar gum and mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the suspending agent is xanthan gum.

[0078] In one embodiment, the xanthan gum is commercially available under the tradename Keltrol CG RD (CP Kelco).

[0079] In one embodiment, the suspending agent is present in the composition between about 0.1 wt% and about 1.0 wt%, optionally between about 0.3 wt% and about 0.7 wt%, preferably about 0.5 wt% on dry basis.

[0080] In one embodiment, the suspending agent is xanthan gum and is present in the composition between about 0.1 wt% and about 1.0 wt%, optionally between about 0.3 wt% and about 0.7 wt%, preferably about 0.5 wt%, on dry basis.

[0081] The present invention shows that, surprisingly and unexpectedly, adding a humectant to an oil-in-water emulsion of benefit agent in an aqueous phase comprising a silk protein and a suspending agent leads to the formation of an aqueous slurry of at least one core-shell microcapsule encapsulating benefit agent.

[0082] 31412 PCTTherefore, in one embodiment, the composition of the present invention is in the form of a slurry of at least one core-shell microcapsule encapsulating benefit agent, wherein the shell comprises a silk protein and a humectant, the composition comprising a suspending agent.

[0083] In one embodiment, the weight ratio between the humectant and the protein moieties in the composition is between about 7:1 to about 10:1. In one embodiment, the weight ratio between the humectant and the protein moieties is about 8.6:1. Such a ratio allows maximization of the amount of encapsulated benefit agent.

[0084] In one embodiment, the humectant is glycerol and the ratio between glycerol and the protein moieties in the composition is 8.6:1.

[0085] In one embodiment, the encapsulated composition comprises

[0086] - between about 1.7 wt% and about 2.5 wt% of silk protein moieties;

[0087] - between about 12.2 wt% and about 25.5 wt% of humectant;

[0088] - between about 71 wt% and about 86 wt% of benefit agent; and

[0089] - between about 0.1 wt% to about 1.0 wt% of suspending agent

[0090] on dry basis.

[0091] In one embodiment, the encapsulated composition comprises

[0092] - about 1.9 wt% of functional silk protein of SEQ ID NO:1 and of SEQ ID NO:4; - about 16.2 wt% of glycerol;

[0093] - about 81 wt% of benefit agent; and

[0094] - about 0.5 wt% of xanthan gum,

[0095] on dry basis.

[0096] In one embodiment, the volume average size (Dv(50)) of the microcapsules is from 1 to 500 pm, optionally from 1 to 100 pm, preferably from 5 to 80 pm, even more preferably from 10 to 70 pm.

[0097] Method

[0098] In one aspect, it is provided a method for preparing the encapsulated composition as defined herein, the method comprising the steps of:

[0099] a) providing an aqueous phase comprising a silk protein and suspending agent;

[0100] b) providing a core composition comprising a benefit agent;

[0101] 31412 PCTc) emulsifying the core composition provided in step b) in the aqueous phase composition provided in step a);

[0102] d) stabilizing the mixture obtained in step c) to obtain core composition droplets surrounded by a polymeric membrane by optimizing the pH of the emulsion;

[0103] e) adding to the composition obtained in step d) a humectant to obtain a microcapsule composition.

[0104] The benefit agent, silk protein, suspending agent and humectant are as defined hereinabove.

[0105] In one embodiment, the silk protein is mixed with water and a suspending agent and stirred at about 400 rpm at a temperature of between about 10 °C to about 35 °C for a period of time of about 5 to about 30 min. The stirring is increased to between 800 rpm to about 1200 rpm, optionally 900 rpm, and benefit agent, preferably a fragrance, is added, leading to emulsification of the composition. The mixture is stabilized, optionally by pH adjustment to a pH between about 5 and about 5.5, optionally 5.3, using a citric acid solution, and further stirred for a period of time of between about 30 to about 60 minutes, optionally 40 min, to generate a membrane at the oil-water interface, around the oil droplets. The humectant is added under stirring at the same temperature, and the mixture is maintained under stirring for a period of time of between about 20 to about 50 minutes, optionally 30 min, to obtain a slurry of coreshell microcapsules encapsulating the benefit agent.

[0106] Consumer Product

[0107] The present invention also relates to a consumer product comprising a microcapsule 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.

[0108] Suitable home care products include hard surface cleaners, heavy duty detergents and detergent powders, air care compositions.

[0109] 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.

[0110] In one embodiment, the consumer product is a hair conditioner.

[0111] Suitable fabric care compositions include laundry care detergents, laundry care conditioners, fabric refreshers, scent boosters.

[0112] 31412 PCTThe microcapsule 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 or it may be incorporated in dry powder form.

[0113] 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.

[0114] In particular, the drying process may be accompanied by an additional encapsulation process, wherein an additional 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 nonencapsulated material in the aqueous phase of the slurry, so that, upon drying, a matrix is formed around or coexisting with the core-shell microcapsules.

[0115] Yet another aspect of the present invention relates to the use of a microcapsule composition as described hereinabove to improve the perception or enhance the performance of the benefit agent in a consumer product.

[0116] The present invention is further illustrated by means of the following non-limiting examples.

[0117] The microscopic images were recorded with an Olympus BX51 Microscope.

[0118] The SEM images were recorded with a Jeol JSM_6010PLUS / LV Scanning electron microscope.

[0119] Dv(50) represents the maximum particle diameter below which 50% of the sample volume exists, also known as the median particle size by volume. It is also known as the Malvern volume weighted particle size distribution, measured using light scattering techniques.

[0120] The solid content of the slurry has been measured by using a Halogen Moisture Analyzer Mettler Toledo instrument operating at 60°C or 120°C. The solid content, expressed as weight 31412 PCTpercentage of the initial slurry deposited on the balance may be taken at the point where the drying-induced rate of weight change has dropped below 0.1 % / min.

[0121] The encapsulation efficiency, i.e. the percentage of the theoretical fragrance that was encapsulated, is given by dividing the measured solid content by theoretical solid content based on the initial amount of encapsulated material and benefit agent involved in the process and it is expressed in wt.-%.

[0122] The stability of a sample is determined according to a centrifugation test: if after 5 min at 5300 RCF at room temperature no layer of oil is observed at the top of the sample, the sample is considered stable. This was also confirmed by microscopic imaging.

[0123] Table 1 shows the composition of Fragrance 1 used in the examples

[0124] Fragrance ingredient Wt%

[0125] MIGLYOL 840 8

[0126] BUTYL CYCLOHEXYL ACETATE PARA 17

[0127] FLOROCYCLENE 4

[0128] AGRUMEX 15

[0129] DAMASCONE DELTA 4

[0130] EUCALYPTUS GLOBULUS OIL 5

[0131] ROSE OXIDE CO 0.2

[0132] ETHYL METHYL-2-BUTYRATE 0.5

[0133] PATCHOULI OIL 2.5

[0134] PETALIA 5 15

[0135] AMYL SALICYLATE 9

[0136]

[0137] TETRAHYDRO LINALOOL 29.8

[0138] Table 2 shows the composition of Fragrance 2 used in the examples.

[0139] Fragrance ingredient Wt%

[0140] JASMACYCLENE 15.0

[0141] AGRUMEX 14.0

[0142] CYCLOHEXYL SALICYLATE 10.0

[0143] TRICYCLAL 8.0

[0144] DIMETHYL BENZYL CARBINYL ACETATE 6.0

[0145] YARA YARA 6.0

[0146] ALLYL OENANTHATE 5.0

[0147] TETRAHYDRO LINALOOL 4.0

[0148] MANZANATE 4.0

[0149] ALDEHYDE C 12 MNA 4.0

[0150] DAMASCONE ALPHA 3.0

[0151] NECTARYL 3.0

[0152] ISORALDEINE 3.0

[0153] EUCALYPTOL 3.0

[0154] PEACH PURE 2.0

[0155] DIPHENYL OXIDE 2.0

[0156] ISO GAMMA SUPER 1.5

[0157] PHENYL ETHYL ACETATE 1.5

[0158] DAMASCENONE 1.0

[0159]

[0160] ALDEHYDE C 11 UNDECYLIC 1.0

[0161] 31412 PCTAUBEPINE PARA CRESOL 1.0

[0162] ETHYL LINALOOL 1.0

[0163] PATCHOULI OIL 0.5

[0164] GALBANONE PURE 0.2

[0165] ROSYRANE 0.2

[0166]

[0167] METHYL OCTYNE CARBONATE 0.1

[0168] Both fragrances contained 0.02% of a fluorescent agent, Hostasol Yellow 3G (from Clariant).

[0169] Example 1: O / W emulsion with functional silk protein (pH = 8.3)

[0170] In a 200 mL flat bottom reactor equipped with a Rushton blade, 35 g of aqueous functional silk solution (1 wt%) was added under mild stirring. The stirring was increased to 900 RPM and 15 g of fragrance 1 was added at a temperature of 25°C. The stirring continued for 60 minutes.

[0171] The encapsulation yield of the slurry obtained was 11 wt.-% at 120°C, the volume average size (d50) of the droplets was 36.9 ± 3 pm and the sample does not pass the stability centrifugation test.

[0172] Figure 1 shows a microscopic image of the composition, showing no membrane formation.

[0173] Example 2: O / W emulsion with functional silk protein and xanthan gum (pH = 7.5)

[0174] In a 200 mL flat bottom reactor equipped with a Rushton blade, 35 g of aqueous functional silk solution (1 wt%) and 100 mg of xanthan gum was added. The mixture was stirred under mild stirring at 400 RPM at a temperature of 25°C for 10 minutes. The stirring was increased to 900 RPM and 15 g of fragrance 1 was added at a temperature of 25°C. The stirring continued for 60 minutes.

[0175] The encapsulation yield of the slurry obtained was 14 wt.-% at 120°C, the volume average size (d50) of the droplets was 28.7 ± 3 pm and the sample passed the stability centrifugation test.

[0176] Figure 2a shows a microscopic image of the composition, showing no membrane formation. Figure 2b shows a microscopic image of the composition after being scratched.

[0177] Example 3: O / W emulsion with functional silk protein and xanthan gum (pH = 5.3)

[0178] In a 200 mL flat bottom reactor equipped with a Rushton blade, 35 g of aqueous functional silk solution (1 wt%) and 100 mg of xanthan gum was added. The mixture was stirred under mild stirring at 400 RPM at a temperature of 25°C for 10 minutes. The stirring was increased to 900 RPM and 15 g of fragrance 1 was added at a temperature of 25°C. The pH of the

[0179] 31412 PCTmixture at was adjusted to 5.3 by adding 10% citric acid solution. The stirring continued for 60 minutes.

[0180] The encapsulation yield of the slurry obtained was 53 wt.-% at 60°C and 13 wt.-% at 120°C, the volume average size (d50) of the droplets was 30.0 ± 3 pm and the centrifugation test passed.

[0181] Figure 3a shows a microscopic image of the composition, showing no membrane formation. Figure 3b shows a microscopic image of the composition after being scratched.

[0182] Example 4: Synthesis of microcapsules using functional silk protein, xanthan gum and glycerol (pH = 5.3)

[0183] In a 200 mL flat bottom reactor equipped with a Rushton blade, 35 g of aqueous functional silk solution (1 wt%) and 100 mg of xanthan gum was added. The mixture was stirred under mild stirring at 400 RPM at a temperature of 25°C for 10 minutes. The stirring was increased to 900 RPM and 15 g of fragrance 1 (Example 4.1) or fragrance 2 (Example 4.2) was added at a temperature of 25°C. The pH of the mixture at was adjusted to 5.3 by adding 10% citric acid solution. The stirring continued for 40 minutes. 3 g of glycerol was added and the stirring was continued for 30 minutes.

[0184] Fragrance 1:

[0185] The encapsulation yield of the slurry obtained was 88 wt.-% at 60°C and 58 wt.-% at 120°C, the volume average size (d50) of the microcapsules was 33.2 ± 3 pm and the centrifugation test passes.

[0186] Figure 4a shows a microscopic image of the composition, showing formation of a membrane around fragrance droplets. Figure 4b shows a microscopic image of the composition after being scratched, confirming the presence of a membrane around fragrance droplets.

[0187] Fragrance 2:

[0188] The encapsulation yield of the slurry obtained was 91 wt.-% at 60°C and 52 wt.-% at 120°C, the volume average size (d50) of the microcapsules was 45.8 ± 3 pm and the centrifugation test passes.

[0189] Figure 5a shows a microscopic image of the composition, showing formation of a membrane around fragrance droplets. Figure 5b shows a microscopic image of the composition after being scratched, confirming the presence of a membrane around fragrance droplets.

[0190] 31412 PCTExample 5: Olfactive performance in hair conditioner

[0191] The microcapsule composition as prepared in Example4.2 was incorporated in a hair conditioning base at 0.4 wt% level.

[0192] Table 3 shows the composition of the hair conditioning base:

[0193] Ingredient Weight %

[0194] Steareth-21 2.0

[0195] Cetyl alcohol 2.0

[0196] Stearyl alcohol 2.0

[0197] Polydimethylsiloxane 3.0

[0198] Behenoxy Dimethicone 3.0

[0199] Propylene glycol 4.0

[0200] Hydroxyethylcellulose 0.7

[0201] Dimethyol dimethyl Hydantoin 0.5

[0202] Cetrimonium chloride 3.0

[0203] encapsulated fragrance 0.4

[0204] water q.s.p. 100

[0205]

[0206] The olfactive performance of the hair conditioner was evaluated on a scale of between 0 and 5 (0 = no olfactive performance, 5 = very high olfactive performance). The results are shown in Table 4.

[0207] Table 4. Olfactive performance in a hair conditioner application (at 25 °C)

[0208] Fragrance 2

[0209] Wet 1.1

[0210] Pre rub 1.1

[0211] Post rub 2.9

[0212]

[0213] It can be observed that the sample showed good performance, especially post-rub.

[0214] Sequences

[0215] SEQ ID NO: 1 MASMTGGQQMGRGSMGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYG PENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGG YGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGP

[0216] 31412 PCTGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAAS GPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPG

[0217] SEQ ID NO: 2 MASMTGGQQMGRGSMGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYG PENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGG YGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGP GGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAAS GPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAA ASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAA AAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAA AAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSA AAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPG

[0218] SEQ ID NO: 3 MASMTGGQQMGRGSMGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYG PENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGG YGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGP GGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAAS GPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAA ASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAA AAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAA AAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSA AAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGS SAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGP GSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPG GPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYG PGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGG YGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGP GGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPS GPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQG PSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPG

[0219] SEQ ID NO: 4 MASMTGGQQMGRGSMGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYG PENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGG YGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGP

[0220] 31412 PCTGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAAS GPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAA ASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAA AAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAA AAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSA AAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGS SAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGP GSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPG GPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYG PGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGG YGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGP GGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPS GPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQG PSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPEN QGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGP ENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGY GPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPG GYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASG PGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAA SGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAA AASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAA AAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPGSSAAAAAAAASGPGGYGPENQGPSGPGGYGPGGPG

[0221] 31412 PCT

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 silk protein, optionally a functional silk protein, and the composition further comprises a humectant and a suspending agent.

2. The encapsulated composition according to claim 1, wherein the silk protein comprises, optionally consists of, at least one functional silk protein selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, and mixtures thereof.

3. The encapsulated composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the silk protein comprises at least one functional silk protein selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1 and of SEQ ID NO:4.

4. The encapsulated composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the humectant is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol, 1,2-propane diol, 1,3-propane diol, hexylene glycol, butylene glycol, sugar alcohols (sugar polyols) such as glycerol, sorbitol, xylitol, maltitol and mixtures thereof, preferably wherein the humectant is glycerol.

5. The encapsulated composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the suspending agent is a polysaccharide, optionally selected form the group consisting of xanthan gum, diutan gum, fermentation-derived cellulose, tara gum, arabic gum, starch, guar gum and mixtures thereof, preferably wherein the suspending agent is xanthan gum.

6. The encapsulated composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the benefit agent is a fragrance optionally wherein the fragrance is biodegradable.

7. A method for preparing an encapsulated composition according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the method comprising the steps ofa) providing an aqueous phase comprising a silk protein and suspending agent;b) providing a core composition comprising a benefit agent;c) emulsifying the core composition provided in step b) in the aqueous phase composition provided in step a);d) stabilizing the mixture obtained in step c) to obtain core composition droplets surrounded by a polymeric membrane by optimizing the pH of the emulsion;31412 PCTe) adding to the composition obtained in step d) a humectant to obtain a microcapsule composition.

8. Use of an encapsulated composition according to any one of claims 1 to 6 to enhance the performance of a benefit agent in a consumer product.

9. A consumer product comprising an encapsulated composition according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the consumer product is preferably selected from the group consisting of fabric care detergents and conditioners, hair care conditioners, shampoos, heavy duty liquid detergents, hard surface cleaners, detergent powders, soaps, shower gels and skin care products, more preferably wherein the consumer product is a hair care product.31412 PCT

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