Hygroscopic, structural, and thermal properties of essential oil microparticles of sweet orange added with cellulose nanofibrils

Different types of nanoscale components are being tested in the food microencapsulation process, in order to ensure better barrier properties. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the properties of spray‐dried microparticles containing sweet orange essential oil produced using gum Arabic and maltodextrin as wall materials incorporated with cellulose nanofibrils. Therefore, both cellulose nanofibrils (morphology) and microparticles (load capacity, moisture adsorption isotherms, X‐ray diffractometry, thermogravimetry, and morphology) were characterized. The treatments containing gum Arabic and cellulose nanofibrils showed better results regarding load capacity (17% w/w). The moisture adsorption isotherms showed that replacing gum Arabic by maltodextrin the equilibrium moisture of the microparticles with and without cellulose nanofibrils were decreased. The presence of cellulose nanofibrils increased the thermal stability of the microcapsules, while higher maltodextrin concentration decreased thermal stability. The microparticles had spherical morphology and roughened surface for all treatments. Therefore, cellulose nanofibrils have potential use for application in the spray‐drying process. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: With the development of new technologies, there is great potential for encapsulation of blended polymeric formulations with an innovative approach in presence of nanoscale components. Cellulose nanofibrils offer structural and mechanical properties and act as a thickener and a physical barrier allowing stabilization of the interface oil/water, what contributes to the improvement of the properties of the essential oil microparticles.