Utilization of Microencapsulated Thyme Essential Oil for Aroma Treatment of Wool Fabric

Background: With rising global trends and changing lifestyles in fashion, beauty as well as healthcare, the awareness of consumers has enforced the evolution of specialty value-added textiles. Essential oils and basic aromatherapy ingredients are microencapsulated and applied to the materials to provide a therapeutic effect and long-lasting aromas. The present study was carried out to prepare thyme essential oil microcapsules using a complex coacervation technique. The prepared microcapsules were applied on wool fabric using pad-dry-cure method by optimizing various variables of aroma treatment.

Methods: Thyme essential oil was used based on its aromatic and therapeutic properties. A complex coacervation technique of microencapsulation was used to prepare thyme oil microcapsules. The padding bath components and treatment variables were optimized based on the presence of microcapsules on wool fabric as observed under a stereo zoom microscope, aroma durability to washing and improved properties of treated material regarding bending length, flexural rigidity and crease recovery angle. The aroma treatment was given on wool fabric using pad-dry-cure method.

Results: Optimized variables for aroma treatment were 60 g/l microcapsule gel, two g/l softeners and ten g/l binder concentration, 1:20 material to liquor ratio, 35 ºC temperature, and 30 minutes treatment time as at these conditions more number of microcapsules, longer wash durability and better fabric properties in terms of bending length, flexural rigidity and crease recovery angle were observed. Aroma-treated wool fabric were dried at 70 ºC temperature for 4 minutes and cured at 100 ºC for 60 seconds.

Conclusions: Thyme essential oil has many reported therapeutic properties therefore microencapsulated thyme basic oil-treated wool fabric can be used for apparel, home, and healthcare textiles. Higher concentrations of microcapsule gel and lower concentrations of softener and binder promoted the deposition of a maximum number of microcapsules on wool fabric. Complex coacervation techniques of microencapsulation for preparation of thyme essential oil microcapsules and pad-dry-cure method to impart durable aroma treatment on wool are needed to acquire long term sustained finish.