Tea-tree oil encapsulated with alginate microcapsules were prepared by a simple coacervation method. The morphology particle size, distribution and properties of controlled release were discussed in this study. The results indicated that the optimal conditions for preparation of microcapsules were 1.0% alginate solution, 0.1% concentration of CaCl2 and Arlacel83 surfactant at 5000 rpm for 120 min. The average particle size was 0.43±0.04μm at the conditions as mention above. The oil release time of microcapsules at 40℃ was approximated that at 60℃ of pure oil, and at 50℃ was approximated that at 70-90℃.
