Microencapsulation, chemical characterization, and antibacterial activity of Citrus hystrix DC (Kaffir Lime) peel essential oil

Citrus hystrix DC (Kaffir Lime) peel essential oil microcapsules were prepared by complex coacervation method between gelatin and gum arabic as wall materials. Kaffir Lime peel essential oil was used as the core substance. The morphology, structure, and essential oil released of microcapsules were investigated by optical microscope, SEM, FT-IR, and UV–Vis, respectively. Microcapsules containing Kaffir Lime peel essential oil showed spherical distributed regularly and SEM images represented rather sphere microcapsule of size about 30–40 µm. FT-IR spectral data confirmed the presence of Kaffir Lime peel essential oil in the prepared microcapsules and maximum amount of essential oil microcapsules was released 17.93% in 8 h. The antibacterial tested with microcapsules containing Kaffir Lime peel essential oil showed antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus . Graphical abstract