Preface

Encapsulation is a process in which an active ingredient that forms the core material (e.g. pharmaceutical drugs, diagnostics, biologics, antibacterial agents, self-healing agents, enzymes, microorganisms, etc.) is entrapped within a carrier (capsule, shell, coating material, or matrix). Encapsulation offers advantages such as safe handling of hazardous but useful materials; controlled release; stimuli-responsive release; taste, odor, and color masking; site-specific delivery; and solidifying of liquid droplets. In the past, micro-carriers (1 μm–1 mm) have been used for various applications including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, agrochemicals, environmental remediation, food safety, and cosmetics. However, recent advancements in nanotechnology have opened the door for nano-encapsulation using different materials at the nanoscale level (1–300 nm), especially for drug delivery applications. Nano-encapsulation offers advantages such as enhanced drug solubility, greater encapsulation efficiency, and selective targeting.

This book is divided into three parts. The first part discusses various techniques of nano-/micro- encapsulation for drug delivery applications using different natural carriers. Chapters 1 and 2 provide a comprehensive overview of various chemical, physical, and physicochemical encapsulation techniques using biopolymers, proteins, and lipids, with a focus on their recent advanced therapeutic and diagnostic applications. Chapter 3 discusses the nanoprecipitation technique for nano-/microencapsulation of active pharmaceutical ingredients. Chapter 4 provides a detailed description related to nano-/micro-encapsulation via covalent drug conjugation. Chapter 5 discusses the clinical and transplantation applications of micro-encapsulated alginates. Finally, Chapter 6 discusses the use of phospholipids derived from coconut for preparing liposomes and encapsulating vitamin C.

The second part of the book discusses the rheology of micro-emulsions. Chapter 7 discusses the rheology of crude oil emulsions and Chapter 8 discusses the aggregation of silica nanoparticles in a porous medium with potential application for enhanced oil recovery.

The third part of the book examines diverse applications of micro-emulsion formulations. Chapter 9 discusses the formulations of botanical oil microemulsions for extended and controlled release of biopesticides as a sustainable agro-ecosystem.

> **Nedal Abu-Thabit** Department of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology, Jubail Industrial College, Jubail Industrial City, Saudi Arabia

**1**

Section 1

Encapsulation Techniques

for Drug Delivery

Applications
