Encapsulation of a Mixed Essential Oil as A Potential Eco-Friendly Control for Phytophthora capsici

Essential oils (EOs) exhibit potent antifungal properties but are limited by their volatility and instability. Encapsulation with biopolymer coatings can enhance their stability and efficacy. This study evaluated the effectiveness of four hydrocolloids: carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), chitosan, glucomannan, and alginate combined with maltodextrin as a primary coating material for encapsulating a ternary essential oil blend. The encapsulated formulations were characterized for color, moisture content, functional groups, morphology, and thermal stability. Results revealed that chitosan significantly reduced the particle size of encapsulated oils from 4.493 ± 0.015 µm (uncoated EO) to 1.923 ± 0.015 µm (chitosan-coated EOC). Furthermore, EOC demonstrated superior antifungal activity, completely inhibiting Phytophthora capsici . These findings underscore chitosan's potential as an optimal coating material for developing eco-friendly, high-performance antifungal agents as alternatives to synthetic fungicides.