Method for manufacturing microcapsules

Abstract

The present invention provides a process for producing microcapsules capable of retaining an organic compound as an active ingredient such as fragrance materials therein over a long period of time. The present invention relates to process for producing microcapsules, which includes step (1) of emulsifying an organic phase including at least one organic compound and a tetraalkoxysilane such that a content of the tetraalkoxysilane in the organic phase is not less than 10% by mass and not more than 60% by mass on the basis of the organic compound, in a water phase inducing a surfactant, and subjecting the resulting emulsion to a sol-gel reaction under acidic conditions to form capsules each including the core and the first shell; and step (2) of further adding a tetraalkoxysilane to a water dispersion containing the capsules obtained in the step (1), and subjecting the obtained mixture to a sol-gel reaction while maintaining an initial pH value in the sol-gel reaction of the step (2) below an initial pH value in the sol-gel reaction of the step (1) to form the capsules each including the second shell encapsulating the first shell.