Encapsulation of fragrances in zein nanoparticles and use as fabric softener for textile application

Fragrances, a mixture of various aromatic compounds, usually have low aqueous solubility and instability to the environment. This research aimed to fabricate the encapsulation of two fragrances in zein nanoparticles and apply it in fabric softener to sustain the fabric with long-lasting fragrance. Pink fruity fragrances (PF) and white floral fragrances (WF) encapsulated zein nanoparticles (PF-ZNs and WF-ZNs) were prepared by the liquid–liquid dispersion method. Zein and fragrances were mixed and immediately poured under high-speed homogenizer into citrate buffer containing Tween 20 as a surfactant, and ethanol was removed using a rotary vacuum evaporator. PF-ZNs and WF-ZNs obtained exhibited spherical shape with average sizes at 219.1 ± 7.7 and 301.1 ± 9.8 nm, respectively. The encapsulation efficiency of PF-ZNs, at 69.15 ± 1.31 %, was significantly higher than that of the WF-ZNs, at 63.91 ± 1.40% (P < .05). Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) indicated that both fragrances' thermal stability was improved after the encapsulation. The PF-ZNs and WF-ZNs were added to fabric softeners and applied to three types of fabrics: cotton, polyester (TK), and blends of cotton/polyester (TC), and the fragrance remaining in the fabrics for 30 days of storage were determined by gas chromatography. The retention of both PF and WF was improved in all fabrics, and significant effects were performed in the cotton fabric with PF-ZNs. The results showed the potential to use the fragrances encapsulated in zein nanoparticles as fabric softener to improve fabrics' long-lasting properties, especially for cotton.