Microencapsulation of Traditional Chinese Herbs-PentaHerbs extracts and potential application in healthcare textiles.

In this work, Traditional Chinese Herbs (TCH)-PentaHerbs--was successfully microencapsulated in chitosan-sodium alginate (CSA) blend matrix using emulsion-chemical cross-linking method and the final product was characterised with regard to structure, surface morphology, particle size, in vitro drug release and skin toxicity by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), laser diffraction particle size analysis, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assays respectively. Results showed that the microcapsules were in spherical form with diameter mostly in the range of 3-18 μm and that the release performance of the microcapsules was influenced by pH value of phosphate buffer solution (PBS). The microcapsules had no toxic effects on cells and were successfully grafted onto the surface of cotton fabrics.

Preparation and characterisation of chitosan microcapsules loaded with Cortex Moutan.

The process of preparation and characterisation of chitosan microcapsules loaded with Cortex Moutan was studied and the optimum condition for microcapsule preparation was investigated by orthogonal array analysis. Based on the yield percentage of microcapsule, the optimum condition for microcapsule preparation was (i) core-shell ratio=1:2; (ii) chitosan concentration=6% (w/v); (iii) agitation speed=1100 rpm; and (iv) cross-linking time=90 min. Meanwhile, relative importance of the preparation parameters was in the order: core-shell ratio, agitation speed, chitosan concentration and cross-linking time.