Microcapsules comprising active ingredients and a metal oxide shell, a method for their preparation and uses thereof

1. A process of preparing microcapsules comprising a core material encapsulated by a metal oxide shell, said process comprising:

(a) preparing an oil-in-water emulsion by emulsification of an oily phase that comprises a core material, in an aqueous phase, wherein one or both of the oily phase and the aqueous phase comprise a sol-gel precursor;

(b) adding metal oxide nanoparticles to said aqueous phase prior to the preparation of the emulsion of step (a), or adding the metal oxide nanoparticles during the preparation of the emulsion of step (a) or adding the metal oxide nanoparticles after the preparation of the emulsion of step (a); and

(c) applying conditions to obtain microcapsules;

wherein said core material comprises a pharmaceutically, cosmetically, or agrochemically active ingredient, wherein the active ingredient is in a solid form and dispersed in the core, and wherein said metal oxide is selected from silica, titania, zirconia, ZnO, and mixtures thereof.

2. The process of claim 1 , wherein said core material comprises a dermatologically active agent, selected from antifungal agents, antibacterial agents, anti-inflammatory agents, antipruritic agents, anti psoriatic agent, anti acne agents, anti rosacea agents, and combinations of any of the above.

3. The process of claim 1 , wherein said core material comprises an anti acne agent selected from benzoyl peroxide, retinoid, and mixtures thereof.

4. The process of claim 1 , wherein said core material comprises an agrochemically active ingredient which is a pesticide.

5. The process of claim 1 , further comprising adding a salt of a metal oxide .to said aqueous phase either prior, during or after step (a), wherein said salt of the metal oxide is selected from sodium silicate, potassium silicate, sodium titanate, potassium titanate, sodium zirconate, potassiunn zirconate, and mixtures thereof.

6. The process of claim 1 , further comprising adding a binding or crosslinking additive to said aqueous phase either prior, during or after step (a) wherein said binding or cross-linking additive is selected from a polymeric agent, a di- or trivalent metal salt, a polyelectrolyte, and mixture thereof.

7. The process of claim 1 , wherein the pH of said aqueous phase is in the range of 2-9.

8. The process of claim 1 , said conditions comprise isolating the microcapsules through procedures selected from at least one of: separation by centrifuge, filtration, evaporation, re-suspension in aqueous medium, and dialysis.

9. The process of claim 1 , wherein the product obtained is a suspension of said microcapsules.

10. The process of claim 1 , wherein the product obtained is a powder of said microcapsules.

11. The process of claim 1 , wherein in step (b) the metal oxide nanoparticles are added to said aqueous phase prior to the preparation of the emulsion of step (a).

12. The process of claim 1 , wherein in step (b) the metal oxide nanoparticles are added after the preparation of the emulsion of step (a).

13. The process of claim 1 , wherein in step (b) the metal oxide nanoparticles are added during the preparation of the emulsion of step (a).