WO2021064608A1

WO2021064608A1 - Capsule for functionalizing a product, method and uses thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2021064608A1
Application number: PCT/IB2020/059168
Authority: WO
Inventors: Carla Joana Dos Santos Marinho Da Silva; Mariana Ivone ALVES DE ORNELAS CARDOSO; Alice Cristina GOMES RIBEIRO; Catarina GONÇALVES NOBRE; Dora Salome CORREIA COELHO; Tzanko TZANOV; Kristina IVANOVA; Eva RAMON PORTES; Nadin TORRES GARRIDO; Liudmyla GRYSHCHUK; Sergiy GRISHCHUK; Roberto Fernando ALMEIDA TEIXEIRA; Humberto Alexandre VIEIRA BEIRÃO; Thomas ZADROZNY; Susana SÁNCHEZ-GÓMEZ; Maria LANZ AZPILICUETA; Izaskun IMBULUZQUETA ITURBURUA; María LLORENTE DOMÍNGUEZ; Hesham SALMAN
Original assignee: Centitvc - Centro De Nanotecnologia E Materiais Técnicos Funcionais E Inteligentes; Universitat Politècnica De Catalunya; Leibniz-Institut für Verbundwerkstoffe GmbH
Priority date: 2019-09-30
Filing date: 2020-09-30
Publication date: 2021-04-08

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to the encapsulation of active ingredients in textiles or cosmetic products, a method of encapsulation, the products and uses thereof. Specifically, nano-encapsulation of active ingredients with thermal, antioxidant or antimicrobial properties for the treatment of textiles or cosmetic products, in order to obtain functional products with enhanced thermal properties, antioxidant or antimicrobial properties. The present disclosure further relates to nano-capsules with different release profiles. A capsule for functionalising a product comprises a core, a shell and an active ingredient and has a controlled release profile. The core comprises 0.5% to 5% by weight of the capsule of an antimicrobial agent, in particular an essential oil such as oregano essential oil, and the shell comprises an alkyl ester of a poly(methyl vinyl ether-co-maleic anhydride) copolymer and/or zein. The shell further comprises an immobilised antibody for binding to a Gram-positive bacteria.

Description

CAPSULE FOR FUNCTIONALIZING A PRODUCT, METHOD AND USES

THEREOF

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the encapsulation of active ingredients in textiles or cosmetic products, a method of encapsulation, the products and uses thereof. Specifically, nano-encapsulation of active ingredients with thermal, antioxidant or antimicrobial properties for the treatment of textiles or cosmetic products, in order to obtain functional products with enhanced thermal, antioxidant or antimicrobial properties. The present disclosure further relates to nano-capsules with different release profiles.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Functional products refer to products with integrated functions such as temperature control, humidity control, antimicrobial properties, or anti-aging and antioxidant properties. These functions are built into the products during the manufacturing process.

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a manufacturing process for developing functional products such as textiles and cosmetics using an innovative nanoencapsulation technology.

[0004] This innovative and sustainable in situ self-assembly nanoencapsulation technology enables to deliver novel functional products for skin thermal comfort, skin anti-ageing and skin natural antimicrobial control, with an increased efficiency and cost- benefits, when compared with the currently available products.

[0005] Document US5366801 A discloses a fabric with reversible enhanced thermal properties. A coating is adapted to be applied to a fabric in order to enhance the thermal characteristics thereof. The coating includes integral and leak-resistant microcapsules filled with phase change material or plastic crystals that have specific thermal properties at predetermined temperatures.

[0006] These facts are disclosed in order to illustrate the technical problem addressed by the present disclosure.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

[0007] The present disclosure relates to the nano-encapsulation of active ingredients for the treatment of textiles or cosmetic products, the method of nano-encapsulation, the products and uses thereof. Specifically, nano-encapsulation of active ingredients with thermal, antioxidant or antimicrobial properties for the treatment of textiles or cosmetic products, in order to obtain functional products with thermal properties, antioxidant or antimicrobial properties. The present disclosure further relates to nano capsules with different release profiles.

[0008] The advantage of the disclosed nano-encapsulation method as compared to existing products available in the market is multi-fold. Firstly, the nano-capsules obtained have larger superficial area, which enables a more efficient treatment or penetration into the skin. Secondly, the nanoencapsulation method disclosed uses no dangerous organic solvents, it is easily scalable and uses only natural or bio-based polymers, and the active ingredients are also natural or bio-based. As such the process and the methods obtained are sustainable and present no cytotoxicity. Thirdly, it is possible to obtain two different release profiles: targeted and triggered release profiles for the encapsulation of natural antimicrobial agents or antioxidant agents.

[0009] In an embodiment, the nano-capsules containing antioxidant ingredients have a triggered-release profile. In order to obtain stable and functional nano-capsules incorporating antioxidant ingredients with a triggered-release profile, the ratios between the alkyl ester of a poly (methyl vinyl ether-co-maleic anhydride) (PVM/MA) copolymers and zein are adjusted, and suitable modifications were made to enable different rates of hydrolysis. [0010] In an embodiment, the nano-capsules containing antimicrobial essential oils have a targeted-release profile. In order to obtain stable and functional nano-capsules incorporating antimicrobial essential oils, grafting AIPs (Auto Inducing Peptides) onto the zein nano-capsules was performed. AIPs are involved in the quorum-sensing (QS) virulence of skin bacteria that serve as a target for driving, with high specificity, antibacterial-loaded nano-capsules to the site of infection.

[0011] In an embodiment, the nano-capsule contains bio-liquefied wheat bran, Vitamin E and Coenzyme Q10 as a cocktail of vitamins as core with antioxidant properties, Zein/Gantrez Es-425 based shell with triggered release, and crosslinking agents for the textile linkage.

[0012] In an embodiment, the crosslinking agents for the textile linkage are glutaraldehyde, glyoxal, carbodiimides, silanes, acid treatment, citric acid, resins or combinations thereof.

[0013] In an embodiment, the nano-capsule contains essential oil as core, Zein based shell with targeted release mechanism/ combination with citric acid to improve linkage onto textiles, and specific antibodies on the surface of the nano-capsule.

[0014] In an embodiment, the specific antibodies on the surface of the nano-capsule is an antibody against Gram positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus.

[0015] In an embodiment, the nano-capsule contains Spanish Oregano Essential Oil as core.

[0016] An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a capsule for functionalizing a product comprising: a core, a shell and an active ingredient, wherein the core comprises said active ingredient selected from: an antimicrobial agent, preferably anti-bacterial agent, an anti-aging agent, antioxidant agent or combinations thereof; the shell comprises a compound selected from: an alkyl ester of a poly (methyl vinyl ether-co-maleic anhydride) (PVM/MA) copolymer, zein, or combinations thereof; wherein the shell is a a single release, or a controlled release shell.

[0017] Another of the present disclosure relates to a capsule, preferably a nanocapsule, for functionalizing a product comprising: a core, a shell, an active ingredient, wherein the core comprises 0.5% to 5% (w/w_ca suie) of an anti-microbial agent; the shell comprises a compound selected from: an alkyl ester of a poly (methyl vinyl ether-co-maleic anhydride) copolymer, zein, or combinations thereof; wherein the capsule has a controlled release profile; wherein the shell further comprises an immobilized antibody for binding to a Gram positive bacterium.

[0018] The capsule according to the previous claim comprising from 1% to 3% (w/wcapsuie) of the active ingredient.

[0019] The capsule according to any of the previous claims wherein the core further comprises a cosmetic ingredient, preferably an anti-aging agent, or antioxidant agent.

[0020] In an embodiment, the capsule comprises from 0.5% to 5% (w/w_ca suie) of the active ingredient, preferably from 1% to 3% (w/w_ca suie).

[0021] In an embodiment, the shell of the capsule further comprises an immobilized antibody for binding to a bacteria or fungus, preferably wherein the bacteria is a Gram positive or a Gram-negative bacterium bacterium.

[0022] In an embodiment, the Gram-positive bacterium is Staphylococcus aureus, Actinomyces, Arthrobacter, Corynebacterium, Enterococcus, Gardnerella, Lactobacillus, Mycobacterium, Propionibacterium, Streptomyces, Streptococcus, among others.

[0023] In an embodiment, the Gram-negative bacterium is Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis and Yersinia pestis, among others. [0024] In an embodiment, the shell of the capsule comprises alkyl ester of a poly (methyl vinyl ether-co-maleic anhydride) (PVM/MA) copolymer, or zein, and/or modifications of those polymers with tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS), (B-Aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES), citric acid, rhamnolipids, urea, and hyper-branched polyamido-amines among others, preferably with tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS), (B-Aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES), hyper-branched polyamido-amines, rhamnolipids, or mixtures thereof.

[0025] In an embodiment, the phase change material is an organic bio-based paraffin, among others, preferably octadecane, glycerine, lactic acid, caprilic acid, methyl palmitate, sodium sulfate, heptadecanone, or mixtures thereof, more preferably bio based octadecane.

[0026] In an embodiment, the antimicrobial agent is an essential oil, preferably wherein the anti-microbial agent is oregano, thyme, rosewood, cedarwood, petitgrain, coriander, lemongrass, palmarosa, citronella, eucalyptus, wintergreen, tea tree, peppermint, basil, geranium, and lavender essential oils, or mixtures thereof , more preferably wherein the antimicrobial agent is Spanish oregano essential oil.

[0027] In an embodiment, the shell releases the active ingredient at a pH between from 4 to 6, preferably at a pH of 5.

[0028] In an embodiment, the anti-aging agent is vitamin E, coenzyme Q10, bio liquefied wheat bran, or combinations thereof.

[0029] In an embodiment, the core of the capsule of the present disclosure is a capsule with controlled release or a non-release profile.

[0030] In an embodiment, the size of the capsule of the present disclosure may range from 100 - 300 nm, preferably from 150-200 nm. The measurement of the size of the capsule may be carried out in various ways; in this disclosure, the measurement was carried out on the basis of the Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) analysis.

[0031] In an embodiment, the capsule of the present disclosure may further comprises a cross-linker for binding the capsule to a textile, wherein the cross-linker is selected from: citric acid, glyoxal, glutaraldehyde, carbodiimides, silanes, or combinations thereof, preferably wherein the cross-linker is tetraethylorthosilicate/ (2,3- epoxypropoxy)propyltrimethoxysilane (TEOS/EPTMS). In an embodiment, the core of the capsule comprises a phase change material, the shell comprises alkyl ester of a poly (methyl vinyl ether-co-maleic anhydride) (PVM/MA) copolymer, the cross-linker is tetraethylorthosilicate/ (2,3-epoxypropoxy)propyltrimethoxysilane (TEOS/EPTMS).

[0032] In an embodiment, the core of the capsule of the present disclosure may comprise an active ingredient selected from the following: bio-liquefied wheat bran, vitamin E and coenzyme Q10 or combinations thereof, the shell comprises alkyl ester of a poly (methyl vinyl ether-co-maleic anhydride) (PVM/MA) copolymer or zein, the cross linker is citric acid.

[0033] In an embodiment, the core of the capsule of the present disclosure may comprise Spanish oregano essential oil, the shell comprises zein, the cross-linker is citric acid.

[0034] In an embodiment, the core of the capsule of the present disclosure may be for use in the prevention or treatment of bacterium infections, by using quorum sensing mechanisms.

[0035] In an embodiment, the capsule of the present disclosure may be use in the prevention or treatment of Gram-positive bacterial infections, preferably Staphylococcus aureus infection, without inhibiting the growth of beneficial bacteria.

[0036] In an embodiment, the capsule of the present disclosure may be use in the prevention or treatment of Athlete's foot, acne infection.

[0037] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to pharmaceutical or cosmetic formulation comprising the capsule described in the present disclosure, namely a lotion, a cream, a foam or a gel.

[0038] In an embodiment, the formulation may be a dandruff shampoo, or a disinfectant hand gel.

[0039] In an embodiment, a textile, a fabric, or a textile article comprises the capsule disclosed. [0040] In an embodiment, the use of the capsule is as a cosmetic capsule.

[0041] In an embodiment, the method of producing nano-capsule containing a phase change material further comprises cooling the final mixture.

[0042] In an embodiment, the washing resistance of the capsule of the present disclosure is at least 3 washes, preferably at least 5 washes.

[0043] In an embodiment, the capsule is for use as an antimicrobial agent or a cosmetic agent, a temperature control agent, or combinations thereof.

[0044] In an embodiment, the capsule is for use as an anti-aging agent, a hydrating agent, an antioxidant agent, or combinations thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] The following figures provide preferred embodiments for illustrating the disclosure and should not be seen as limiting the scope of invention.

[0046] Figure 1 illustrates the method of treating textiles with nano-encapsulated antioxidants.

[0047] Figure 2 shows the ability of the antioxidant nano-capsules of the present disclosure in inhibiting elastase and collagenase.

[0048] Figure 3 shows the percentage of DPPH scavenging observed for different formulation of nano-capsules loaded with antioxidants Vitamin E and Coenzyme Q10.

[0049] Figure 4 shows the scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) images of untreated textile and textile with antioxidant activity.

[0050] Figure 5 illustrates the method of treating textiles with nano-encapsulated essential oil.

[0051] Figure 6 shows the targeted ability of antibacterial nano-capsules of the present disclosure to Gram positive bacteria. [0052] Figure 7 shows the quantity of Zein nano-capsules of the present disclosure in treated textiles without wash and treated textiles after 5 washing cycles.

[0053] Figure 8 shows the antibacterial activity of treated textiles without wash and treated textiles after 5 washing cycles.

[0054] Figure 9 shows the scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) images of untreated textile and textile with antibacterial activity.

[0055] Figure 10 shows the increased release of antibacterial essential oil in the presence of sweat.

[0056] Figure 11 shows the antibacterial activity of anti-acne creams against Propionibacterium acnes.

[0057] Figure 12 shows the effect of the anti-acne cream in real usage scenarios.

[0058] Figure 13 shows the antibacterial efficacy of body gel with loaded antibacterial nano-capsules.

[0059] Figure 14 shows the antifungal activity against Trichophyton rubrum of a body gel and a textile with loaded antimicrobial activity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0060] The present disclosure relates to the nano-encapsulation of active ingredients for the treatment of textiles or cosmetic products, the method of nano-encapsulation, the products and uses thereof. Specifically, nano-encapsulation of active ingredients with antioxidant or antimicrobial properties for the treatment of textiles or cosmetic products, in order to obtain functional products with antioxidant or antimicrobial properties. The present disclosure further relates to nano-capsules with different release profiles.

[0061] In an embodiment, before the process of impregnating the textiles with the nano-capsules, a pre-treatment of textiles with citric acid 0.1 M was performed by padding. The padding was performed using a foulard equipment (2 m/min, S bar), with subsequent drying for 15 minutes at 60 °C, followed by 24 hours of drying at room temperature, between 20 to 25 °C, usually 20 °C.

[0062] In an embodiment, before each characterization test, several washing cycles were performed on the treated textiles to study their washing fastness. Several cycles were done in a domestic washing machine (each cycle at 40 °C for 90 min), using non phosphate powder detergent, a method based on ISO 6330:2012. The untreated samples were also washed, and then, all the fabrics were dried at room temperature between 20 to 25 °C (usually 20 °C) for 24 hours.

[0063] In an embodiment, the process of manufacturing Vitamin E and Q10 loaded nano-capsule for textile includes the following steps:

[0064] Two different containers are needed: One of them for the organic phase and the other for the nano-capsules preparation. All the procedure is performed under room temperature.

1- Organic phase preparation a. Weigh the zein (16.65 g - 49.95 g) and add benzyl alcohol (316.35 g - 283.05 g). Mix until complete dissolution using a magnetic stirrer; b. Add 12.65 g of vitamin E and mix until complete homogenization; c. Add 13.32 g of coenzyme Q10 until complete dissolution.

2- Aqueous phase preparation a. Dissolve 33.3 g of sodium caseinate in 632.7 g of ultrapure water using a paddle stirrer.

3- Nano-capsules preparation a. Mix the organic and the aqueous phases using a sonicatorfor 12 minutes.

The quality control of the final product will be easily controlled by:

• Size measurement: Nano-capsules will range from 100 to 300 nm; • Polydispersity measurement: Values lower than 0.300.

[0065] In an embodiment, the process of manufacturing Vitamin E and Q10 loaded nano-capsule for cosmetics includes the following steps:

Six different containers are needed: Five of them for the organic phase and the other for the nano-capsules preparation. All the procedure is performed under room temperature.

1. Q10 solution preparation a. Weigh the Q10 (3.6 g) and add isopropyl myristate (26.4 g). Mix under dark conditions until complete dissolution.

1. Vit E solution preparation a. Weigh the Vitamin E (3.6 g) and add alcohol denat (26.4 g). Mix until complete dissolution.

2. Tween mix solution preparation a. Weigh theTween 80 (3.5 g) and add Tween 20 (80.5 g). Mix until complete dissolution.

3. Polymer solution preparation a. Weigh the Gantrez 425 (7 g) and add propylene glycol (7 g). Mix until complete dissolution of the polymer (it must be transparent, check the absence of residues adhering the walls of the container).

4. Organic phase preparation a. Weigh the solution of 12 % Q10 in IPM (22 g), add the solution of 12 % Vitamin E in alcohol denat (22 g). Mix until complete dissolution. b. Add the Tween mix solution (77 g) Mix until complete dissolution. c. Under agitation (high speed), add the polymer solution (9.3 g) at low flow rate (30 ml/min). Mix the organic phase until a homogenous transparent solution is observed.

5. Nano-capsules preparation

Weigh water (480 g) and under agitation, add the organic phase (120 g) at low flow rate (30 ml/min) using a syringe. [0066] In an embodiment, the capsules, preferably the nano-capsules have a size from IBB to 200 nm.

[0067] In an embodiment, the nano-capsules have a polydispersity measurement of not more than 0.300.

[0068] In an embodiment, the process of functionalization of creams and textiles with nano-capsules loaded with antioxidant ingredients includes the following steps:

• Adding antioxidant loaded nano-capsules to excipients to produce an antiwrinkle cream and serum.

• Adding antioxidants-loaded nano-capsules (NC) onto 100% Cotton textiles by padding using a foulard equipment (2 m/min, 3 bar), with subsequent drying at 60 °C for 15 minutes, followed by drying for 24 hours at room temperature, between 20 to 25 °C, usually 20 °C .

[0069] In an embodiment, the process of manufacturing Spanish Oregano (SO) essential oil (EO) loaded nano-capsule for cosmetics includes the following steps:

Solutions and excipients:

- Organic phase: Spanish Oregano (10%), Zein (9%) and Propylene Glycol (81%);

- Aqueous phase: Citric Acid in highly purified water (0.56 g/L).

Procedure:

- Addition of 3 g of Organic phase to 7 g of aqueous phase under agitation.

Final composition:

- Spanish Oregano 3% w/w;

- Zein 2.7% w/w;

- Propylene glycol 24.3% w/w - Citric Acid 3.7%;

- Highly purified water 66.3%.

[0070] In an embodiment, the process of manufacturing nano-capsules for selective antimicrobial applications includes the following steps: - Spanish oregano oil was mixed with surfactants (Tween 20), cosurfactants (propanediol, propylene glycol and denatured alcohol), Zein plasticizers (Oleic acid), and Zein under magnetic stirring.

- The surfactant-oil mixture was subsequently added into water under continuous agitation to form the nano-capsules.

- The NCs were diluted (final concentration ~3.17xl0⁹ NCs / mL) in MilliQ water at pH of 3.3 and decorated with amino-bearing biopolymer following the principles of Layer-by-Layer self-assembling approach.

- 22.5 ml of the Spanish oregano NCs (negatively charged) were mixed with 5 ml of 10 mg/mL aminocellulose solution, at pH 3.3 and incubated for 1 hour at room temperature.

- The sample was then centrifuged at 29500 g for 50 min, resuspended in 3.75 ml of MilliQ water and sonicated for 20 min at 20 °C.

- The nano-capsules were functionalized with rabbit protein A antibody using 50 mM/20mM of N-(3-Dimethylaminopropyl)-N' -ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride / N-Hydroxysulfosuccinimide sodium salt in 100 mM phosphate buffer, pH 6.5. The reaction was performed at room temperature, for 24 h with shaking.

- After 24 hours, the nano-capsules were centrifuged for 40 min at 18000 rpm, resuspended in 500 pi of MilliQ water and sonicated for 20 min at 20 °C.

[0071] In an embodiment, the process of functionalization of creams and textiles includes the following steps:

For cosmetic applications: The antimicrobial nano-capsules were then added to the excipients to produce creams and lotions with antimicrobial features (Athlete's foot cream, anti-acne cream, anti-dandruff shampoo and disinfectant hand gel).

For textile applications: The antimicrobial NCs were applied onto 100% Cotton textiles by padding, with a foulard equipment (2 m/min, 3 bar), with subsequent drying at 60 °C for 15 minutes, followed by 24 hours at room temperature. Before each characterization test, several washing cycles were performed in the treated textiles, to study their washing durability. Several cycles were done in a domestic washing machine (each cycle at 40 °C for 90 min), using non-phosphate powder detergent - method based on ISO 6330:2012. The untreated samples were also washed, and then all fabrics were dried at room temperature for 24 hours.

[0072] In an embodiment, the nano-capsule contains bio-liquefied wheat bran, Vitamin E and Coenzyme Q10 as a core with antioxidant properties, Zein/Gantrez ES-425 based shell with triggered release, and citric acid as crosslinking agents for the textile linkage.

[0073] In an embodiment, textiles were treated with nano-capsules containing antioxidants. The application of antioxidant-loaded NCs onto 100% Cotton textiles was performed by padding, with a foulard equipment (2 m/min, 3 bar), with subsequent drying at 60 °C for 15 minutes, followed by 24 hours at 25 °C.

[0074] In an embodiment, Figure 1 illustrates the method of treating textiles with nano- encapsulated antioxidants.

[0075] In an embodiment, Figure 2 shows the ability of the antioxidant nano-capsules in inhibiting elastase and collagenase. The result shows that the nano-capsules are able to inhibit the enzymes responsible for skin ageing, being the inhibition for elastase around 70% (without dilution) and for collagenase around 100% (without dilution). This inhibition drops to around 30% when the NCs are four times diluted.

[0076] In an embodiment, Figure 3 shows the percentage of DPPH scavenging observed for different formulation of nano-capsules loaded with antioxidants Vitamin E and Coenzyme Q10. The result shows that the NCs containing the cocktail of antioxidants Vitamin E and Coenzyme Q10 are more effective than the NCs alone.

[0077] In an embodiment, the structure of the textile before and after treatment with nano-capsules containing antioxidant substances such as Vitamin E and Coenzyme Q10 was analysed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). [0078] In an embodiment, Figure 4 shows the scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) images of untreated textile and textile with antioxidant activity. The result shows the presence of the antioxidant nano-capsules at the fibres surface after the treatment.

[0079] In an embodiment, the nano-capsule contains essential oil as core, Zein based shell with targeted release mechanism/ combination with citric acid to improve linkage onto textiles, and specific antibodies on the surface of the nano-capsule.

[0080] In an embodiment, textiles were treated with nano-capsules containing essential oil. The application of antioxidant-loaded NCs onto 100% Cotton textiles was performed by padding, with a foulard equipment (2 m/min, 3 bar), with subsequent drying at 60 °C for 15 minutes, followed by 24 hours at 25 °C.

[0081] In an embodiment, Figure 5 illustrates the method of treating textiles with nano- encapsulated essential oil.

[0082] In an embodiment, the antibacterial activity of treated and untreated textile was compared using standardised methods to access bacterial growth. In particular, both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria were grown on liquid nutrient medium or agar-based growth medium, and the number of viable cells were quantified by using suitable techniques.

[0083] In an embodiment, Figure 6 shows the targeted ability of antibacterial nano capsules to Gram positive bacteria. The result shows that the growth of the Gram negative bacteria E. coli was not affected by the presence of the essential oil nano capsules and the growth of the Gram-positive bacteria S. aureus was significantly affected by applying the essential oil nano-capsules .

[0084] In an embodiment, acid orange analysis was performed to compare the quantity of nano-capsules containing essential oil before and after subjecting the treated textile to 5 washing cycles.

[0085] In an embodiment, Figure 7 shows the quantity of Zein nano-capsules in treated textiles without wash and treated textiles after 5 washing cycles. The result shows that the nano-capsules remain at the fabric surface after the washing procedure, and thus have wash fastness.

[0086] In an embodiment, the antibacterial activity of textiles treated with nano capsules containing essential oil and untreated textile was compared using ISO standard 20743:2013.

[0087] In an embodiment, Figure 8 shows the antibacterial activity of treated textiles without wash and treated textiles after 5 washing cycles. The result shows that after 5 washing cycles there is a decrease of 2 log in the antibacterial activity, but its activity is still strong, comparing with the control samples without treatment.

[0088] In an embodiment, the structure of the textile before and after treatment with nano-capsules containing antibacterial substance as such essential oil was analysed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The result shows the presence of the antibacterial nano-capsules at the fibres surface after the treatment.

[0089] In an embodiment, Figure 9 shows the scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) images of untreated textile and textile with antibacterial activity.

[0090] In an embodiment, Figure 10 shows the release of antibacterial essential oil in the presence of sweat. The result shows that upon sweat, there is an increased release of the essential oil.

[0091] In an embodiment, Figure 11 shows the antibacterial activity of anti-acne creams against Propionibacterium acnes. The result shows that the inhibition zone is higher with the anti-acne creams loaded with the nano-encapsulated Spanish oregano, compared with an anti-acne standard cream, the cream with non-encapsulated Spanish oregano and a positive control.

[0092] In an embodiment, Figure 12 shows the effect of the anti-acne cream in real usage scenarios. The result shows an overall improvement of the skin appearance whit the usage of the anti-acne cream with loaded essential oil nano-capsules. [009B] In an embodiment, Figure 13 shows the antibacterial efficacy of body gel with loaded antibacterial nano-capsules. The result shows a higher inhibition of S. aureus growth with the body gel loaded with essential oil nano-capsules.

[0094] In an embodiment, Figure 14 shows the antifungal activity against Trichophyton rubrum of a body gel and a textile with loaded antimicrobial activity. The result shows an inhibition of the growth of the fungus with the body gel and a textile with essential oil nano-capsules.

[0095] This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 685909.

[0096] The term "comprising" whenever used in this document is intended to indicate the presence of stated features, integers, steps, components, but not to preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

[0097] The disclosure should not be seen in any way restricted to the embodiments described and a person with ordinary skill in the art will foresee many possibilities to modifications thereof.

[0098] The above described embodiments are combinable.

Claims

C L A I M S

1. A capsule for functionalizing a product comprising: a core, a shell, an active ingredient, wherein the core comprises 0.5% to 5% (w/w_ca suie) of an antimicrobial agent; the shell comprises a compound selected from: an alkyl ester of a poly (methyl vinyl ether-co-maleic anhydride) copolymer, zein, or combinations thereof; wherein the capsule has a controlled release profile; wherein the shell further comprises an immobilized antibody for binding to a Gram positive bacteria.

2. The capsule according to the previous claim comprising from 1% to 3% (w/w_{ca p}suie) of the active ingredient.

3. The capsule according to any of the previous claims wherein the core further comprises a cosmetic ingredient preferably an anti-aging agent or an antioxidant agent, a phase change material, or mixtures thereof.

4. The capsule according to any of the previous claims, wherein the Gram-positive bacterium is Staphylococcus aureus, Actinomyces, Arthrobacter, Corynebacterium, Enterococcus, Gardnerella, Lactobacillus, Mycobacterium, Propionibacterium, Streptomyces, Streptococcus.

5. The capsule according to any of the previous claims, wherein the shell comprises alkyl ester of a poly (methyl vinyl ether-co-maleic anhydride) copolymer, or zein, and/or modifications of those polymers with tetraethylorthosilicate, (3-Aminopropyl)triethoxysilane, citric acid, rhamnolipids, urea, and hyper-branched polyamido-amines among others, preferably with tetraethylorthosilicate, (3-Aminopropyl)triethoxysilane hyper-branched polyamido-amines, rhamnolipids, or mixtures thereof.

6. The capsule according to any of the previous claims, wherein the antimicrobial agent is an essential oil.

7. The capsule according to any of the previous claims, wherein the essential oil is oregano, thyme, rosewood, cedarwood, petitgrain, coriander, lemongrass, palmarosa, citronella, eucalyptus, wintergreen, tea tree, peppermint, basil, geranium, and lavender essential oils, or mixtures thereof.

8. The capsule according to any of the previous claims, wherein the essential oil is oregano, more preferably wherein the antimicrobial agent is Spanish oregano essential oil.

9. The capsule according to any of the previous claims, wherein the shell releases the active ingredient at a pH from 4 to 6, preferably at a pH of 5.

10. The capsule according to any of the previous claims, wherein the anti-aging agent is vitamin E, coenzyme Q10, bio-liquefied wheat bran, or combinations thereof.

11. The capsule according to any of the previous claims, further comprising a cross linker for binding the capsule to a textile, wherein the cross-linker is selected from: citric acid, glyoxal, glutaraldehyde, carbodiimides, silanes, or combinations thereof, preferably wherein the cross-linker is tetraethylorthosilicate/ (2,3- epoxypropoxy)propyltrimethoxysilane.

12. The capsule according to any of the previous claims, wherein the active ingredient is selected from the following: bio-liquefied wheat bran, vitamin E and coenzyme Q10 or combinations thereof, the shell comprises alkyl ester of a poly (methyl vinyl ether-co-maleic anhydride) copolymer or zein, the cross-linker is citric acid.

13. The capsule according to any of the previous claims, wherein the core comprises Spanish oregano essential oil, the shell comprises zein, the cross-linker is citric acid.

14. The capsule according to any of the previous claims for use in the prevention or treatment of bacterial infections, in particular for use in the prevention or treatment of Gram-positive bacterial infections, preferably Staphylococcus aureus.

15. The capsule according to any of the previous claims for use in the prevention or treatment of Athlete's foot or acne infection.

16. A cosmetic formulation comprising the capsule described in any of the previous claims, namely a lotion, a cream, a foam, or a gel.

17. The cosmetic formulation according to the previous claim wherein the formulation is a dandruff shampoo, or a disinfectant hand gel.

18. A textile, a fabric or a textile article comprising the capsule described in any of the previous claims.

19. Use of the capsule according to any of the previous claims as a cosmetic capsule.

20. Use of the capsule according to any previous claims as antimicrobial agent, cosmetic agent, or combinations thereof, in particular as anti-aging agent, hydrating agent, antioxidant agent, or combinations thereof.