Abstract

Microencapsulation is the process of placing a microscopic wall around a core made of active molecules to protect or convey. This technique is object of several researches and experiments and can be adapted to a number of industrial applications. This work is an overview of the main European, U.S., and international patents concerning applications of microencapsulation in the field of food and pest control, developed in the last 15 years. Innovation in this sector involves the choice of encapsulating materials, active molecules to be encapsulated and methods of encapsulation.

Keywords: Active molecules, encapsulating materials, food, microencapsulation, pesticide.