Capsulated essential oil in gel spheres for the protection of cellulosic cultural heritage
In this paper we present a possible application of cinnamon essential oil to be encapsulated into gel drops of psyllium and of psyllium-alginate mixtures and to be released by the beads. It could act as green biocide for the protection of antique books, old documents and, generally, of any cellulosic material (paper, wood, textiles) object of cultural interest from biological attack. The components of the cinnamon essential oil, released by alginate, psyllium-alginate and purified psyllium-alginate beads, were determined by GC-MS analysis.