Obtaining and microcapsulation of fly and insect repellent citrus aurantium oil, and application onto fabrics

The aim of this study was to extract Citrus aurantium essential oil containing fly repellent components and to test the repellency effect against mosquitoes. Moreover, microcapsullation of Citrus aurantium essential oil using gelatin and gum polymers via complex coacervation method, characterization and transfer of these microcapsules on cotton, polyester and acrylic fabrics were the aims of the study. For this purpose, Citrus aurantium essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation method in Clevenger apparatus, volatile oil containing microcapsules components and ratios were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyzes. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometry (FTIR) analyzes of microcapsules containing Citrus aurantium essential oil were performed. The mosquito repellency effect of the obtained Citrus aurantium oil was tested by manufacturing an escape unit for mosquitoes. Images of Citrus aurantium oil encapsulated microcapsules were obtained by an optical microscope and the average diameter and diameter distributions were measured. The transfers of microcapsules onto the fabrics were carried out by extraction method. Scanning electron microscope images and energy dispersive X-ray analyzes (SEM-EDX) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometry (FTIR) analyzes were performed. The results of the thesis show that Citrus aurantium essential oil can be extracted efficiently by hydrodistillation in Clevenger mechanism. According to the GC-MS results, the main component of Citrus aurantium essential oil was limonene. Escape unit tests proved that Citrus aurantium oil is effective in mosquito repellency. The average diameter of microcapsules produced using Citrus aurantium oil was measured as 68,3±34,2 µm. It was exhibited via the SEM+ EDX and FTIR analyzes that the microcapsules were attached to the whole fabrics successfully.