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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Albany, California » Western Regional Research Center » Bioproducts Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #319658
Research Project: Bioproducts from Agricultural Feedstocks

Location: Bioproducts Research

Title: Controlled release of linalool using nanofibrous membranes of poly(lactic acid) obtained by electrospinning and solution blow spinning: A comparative study

Author
item SOUZA, MICHELLE - Embrapa
item Glenn, Gregory - Greg
item MATTOSO, LUIZ - Embrapa

Submitted to: Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/1/2015
Publication Date: 8/1/2015
Citation: Souza, M.A., Glenn, G.M., Mattoso, L.H. 2015. Controlled release of linalool using nanofibrous membranes of poly(lactic acid) obtained by electrospinning and solution blow spinning: A comparative study. Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. 15(8):5628-5636.

Interpretive Summary: Controlled release of a volatile compound at a predefined and reproducible rate over a prolonged period of time may be achieved by incorporating the active agent into biodegradable polymeric materials where the degradation occurs at a known rate. Membranes were effectively encapsulated with linalool, an effective insecticide and larvicide, and the controlled released time was studied. Further development of the encapsulated membranes with linalool oil could result in new commercial markets for the composites.

Technical Abstract: The controlled-release of natural plant oils such as linalool is of interest in therapeutics, cosmetics, and antimicrobial and larvicidal products. The present study reports the release characteristics of linalool encapsulated at three concentrations (10, 15 and 20 wt.%) in poly(lactic acid) nanofibrous membranes produced by electrospinning and solution blow spinning (SBS) as well as the effect of linalool on fiber morphology and structural properties. PLA nanofibrous membranes were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and contact angle measurements. The average diameters of the electrospun and solution blow spun nanofibers were similar, ranging from 176 to 240 nm. Linalool behaved as a plasticizer to PLA decreasing the glass transition temperature (Tg), melting point (Tm) and crystallization temperature (Tc) of PLA. Curves of the release of linalool at 35°C were non-linear, showing a clear biphasic pattern consistent with one or more Fickian release components. The time required to release 50% of linalool (t1/2) decreased with increasing linalool concentration. The range in t1/2 values for SBS nanofibers was higher (291-1645s) than the t1/2 values for electrospun fibers (76-575s).