MICROENCAPSULATION Meaning and
Definition
-
Microencapsulation refers to a process in which very tiny particles or droplets are surrounded and enclosed within a thin coating or shell, known as a capsule or microcapsule. This coating can be made from various materials, such as polymers, lipids, or proteins. The purpose of microencapsulation is to protect the encapsulated material, which can be a solid, liquid, or even a gas, and control its release or delivery to a target site.
The process of microencapsulation involves several steps. Initially, the core material to be encapsulated is dispersed or suspended in a coating material. Then, through various techniques like spray drying, coacervation, or fluidized bed coating, the encapsulating material is applied around the core material, forming a microcapsule. The resulting microcapsules can be of different sizes, ranging from a few micrometers to several millimeters.
Microencapsulation finds diverse applications in numerous fields. In the pharmaceutical industry, it is commonly used to protect sensitive drug compounds from degradation, improve drug stability, and control drug release. In the food industry, microencapsulation is employed to enhance product taste, texture, or appearance, and to deliver nutrients or functional ingredients. Additionally, microencapsulation has uses in the cosmetics, agricultural, and textile industries.
Overall, microencapsulation plays a pivotal role in enabling the controlled release of substances and protecting sensitive materials, making it a valuable technology in various applications.
Common Misspellings for MICROENCAPSULATION
- nicroencapsulation
- kicroencapsulation
- jicroencapsulation
- mucroencapsulation
- mjcroencapsulation
- mkcroencapsulation
- mocroencapsulation
- m9croencapsulation
- m8croencapsulation
- mixroencapsulation
- mivroencapsulation
- mifroencapsulation
- midroencapsulation
- miceoencapsulation
- micdoencapsulation
- micfoencapsulation
- mictoencapsulation
- mic5oencapsulation
- mic4oencapsulation
- micriencapsulation
Etymology of MICROENCAPSULATION
The word "Microencapsulation" has a Greek and Latin etymology.
The prefix "micro-" comes from the Greek word "mikros", meaning small. In this context, it refers to the small size of the capsules or particles formed during the encapsulation process.
The word "encapsulation" comes from the Latin word "capsula", meaning a small container or capsule. The Latin word is derived from the noun "capere", which means to contain or hold. In the context of microencapsulation, it signifies the process of surrounding or enclosing small substances (such as drugs, flavors, or functional materials) within tiny capsules or particles.
Therefore, the term "Microencapsulation" combines the Greek prefix "micro-" denoting smallness with the Latin word "encapsulation" meaning to encapsulate or enclose, resulting in a word that describes the technique of enclosing small particles or substances within tiny capsules or particles.
