ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Carnauba wax microparticles produced by melt dispersion technique

Jelena Milanovic, Steva Levic, Verica Manojlovic, Viktor Nedovic, and Branko Bugarski

Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, Karnegijeva 4, 11120 Belgrade, Serbia

E-mail: branko@tmf.bg.ac.rs

Abstract: Melt dispersion technique was investigated for carnauba wax microparticles production. Microbeads with spherical shape and narrow size distribution were produced. The main objective of this study was to investigate the effect of significant process variables (initial wax concentration, stirring speed, stirring time, and surfactants) on sphericity, size distribution, and morphological properties of wax microparticles. Optimal conditions were evaluated on the basis of particle size distribution and visual analysis. Surface morphology of microparticles was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Effects of process conditions on the size distribution of particles were evaluated by sieve analysis. Main purpose of these investigations was to apply optimized parameters to aroma encapsulation for their use in food and feed industry.

Keywords: melt dispersion – carnauba wax – surfactants – microparticles

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.2478/s11696-011-0001-x

Chemical Papers 65 (2) 213–220 (2011)