Vibration-assisted preparation of core-shell capsules by millifluidics
Canghai Luo, Yuan Zheng, Rongrong Liu, Ze Yang, Dongpeng Sun, Xue Liao, Xiaoying Ji, Dong Chen
Abstract
Core-shell capsules are good carriers for various applications, such as food administration and drug delivery. The precise control of the emulsification process is essential for the controlled preparation of core–shell capsules. Here, a vibration-assisted millifluidic system is developed to achieve the controlled preparation of millimeter-size core–shell capsules with tunable size and property. With vibration, the breakups of the inner and middle phases are dominated by the large-amplitude vibration. The phase diagram of core–shell capsules with vibration shows a larger area of one-core capsules. The influences of experimental parameters on capsule properties are systematically investigated and analyzed. Probiotics-loaded core–shell capsules show a small size distribution, strong mechanical strength and good storage stability. Encapsulated probiotics could be released by crushing the shell or dissolving the shell in warm water. Therefore, the vibration-assisted millifluidic system provides a good platform for the stable preparation of biocompatible core–shell capsules for controlled release.