Figure 1.

Scheme of the controlled release of essential oil and the degradation of polymeric nanoparticles. The nanosystem comprises the active ingredient encapsulated by a biodegradable polymer. Controlled release occurs due to the degradation of the polymer. When the polymer interacts with the environment in which the release takes place, there is a breakdown of the wall material, which can be due to thermal degradation or photodegradation, and then the release of the active ingredient occurs.