Objective: This study aimed to determine appropriate parameters for encapsulating pomelo peel essential oil (Citrus maxima) using the alginate/chitosan complex. Methods: The investigated parameters included the concentration of sodium alginate solution (2 ‒ 3.5% w/v based on the volume of mixture), the concentration of pomelo essential oil (20 ‒ 40% w/w based on dry matter of wall marerials), the concentration of Tween 80 (0 ‒ 20% w/w based on dry matter of wall marerials), the concentration of CaCl2 solution (0.5 ‒ 3.5% w/v based on the volume of mixture), time (10 min – 20 min) and speed of emulsion homogenization (489-4402 × g), the concentration of chitosan solution (0.5 ‒ 2% w/v based on the volume of mixture), and pH of chitosan solution (4 ‒ 6). Results: The results showed encapsulation yield (EY%) and encapsulation efficiency (EE%) of 91.64% and 85.18%, respectively, when using the concentration of sodium alginate solution as 3% (w/v based on the volume of mixture), the concentration of essential oil as 30% (w/w based on dry matter of wall marerials), the concentration of Tween 80 as 15% (w/w based on dry matter of wall marerials), the concentration of CaCl2 solution as 1.5% (w/v based on the volume of mixture), homogenization time as 10 min and homogenization speed as 4402 × g, the concentration of chitosan as 2% (w/v based on the volume of mixture) and pH of Chitosan solution as 5. Conclusion: The alginate/chitosan complex was proven effective in encapsulating pomelo essential oil (Citrus maxima) on a laboratory scale. The resulting encapsulated particles had a relatively uniform size and a high ability to retain essential oils in the core of the particles. Further studies should be conducted to elucidate the mechanism of the encapsulation process and to additionally evaluate the physical and chemical properties of the encapsulated particles.
