## 3 Results and Discussion
### Crystal Morphology and Functional Properties  
Figure 4 depicts the morphological features of the lipidic matrixes, as seen by the phase contrast and fluorescence microphotographs. The BEW matrix crystallized into very fine needles inbreeding together, which are further organized into an open aggregate-like structure. These needles were very thin, elongated, and bent having 20-40 \(\upmu\)m in length. This particular shape formed a honey comb or porous system that was responsible for the weak consistency and poor degree of crystallinity of this LM. \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c c c c} \hline \hline
**Herschel-Buckley** & **Beewax Matrix** & **Candelilla** & **Carnauba Wax** & **Ozokerite** & **Lemon** \\
**Parameter** & **Beewax Matrix** & **Max Matrix** & **Matrix** & **Wax Matrix** & **Essential Oil** \\ \hline \(\tau_{\mathrm{o}}\) (Pa) & 3.7 & 150.1 & 72.7 & 0.11 & 0 \\ k (Pa.s) & 5 & 168.15 & 11.19 & 31.1 & 0.001 \\ n & 0.19 & 0.093 & 0.491 & 0.160 & 0.97 \\ R\({}^{2}\) & 0.9500 & 0.8000 & 0.8200 & 0.8219 & 0.9994 \\ Recovery (\%) & 41.4 & 7.6 & 9.6 & 13 & 100 \\ Extensibility (mm\({}^{2}\)) & \(481.4\pm 74.8\) & \(293\pm 27.2\) & \(268.1\pm 52.2\) & \(446\pm 56.9\) & N.A. \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular} N: flow type (flow behavior index), k: consistency index, \(\tau_{\mathrm{o}}\): shear stress for flow.  
\end{table} 
Table 4: Herschel–Buckley parameters and thixotropic recovery from the stress-strain profiles at 25 \({}^{\circ}\)C.  
Figure 4: _Cont._  
The CLW matrix mostly developed small oblong-like crystals rather that fibers of 5-10 \(\upmu\)m in size. This morphology is the result of the HC components that co-crystallized with the WEs fraction during cooling. Conversely, the OKW matrix was composed of stacked crystals of \(\sim\)10 \(\upmu\)m in size forming larger aggregates (50-100 \(\upmu\)m) resembling a sea urchin morphology. This phenomenon might be attributed to a two-stage crystallization process that was initiated by a three-dimensional nucleation center followed by the organization of needle-like crystals in the outer layer, resulting in striated growth. Those crystals tend to pile upon each other, forming clusters. The CRW matrix had an anisotropic, grain-like morphology with length ranging from 5 to 10 \(\upmu\)m. This material exhibited a high content of WEs, which could be responsible for the excellent strength of such matrix. During cooling, the crystalline particles at the junction zones and within the network have reorganized their molecular packing and achieved a higher level of structural organization. Therefore, their crystals appear to be denser and they exhibited the largest degree of crystallization. Table 5 lists the color characterization, volatile retention capacity, and antioxidant activity of these LM. The chemical nature of the waxy components in each LM was the factor that determined the color qualities of the samples. For instance, CRW and OKW matrixes showed the most opaque appearance, probably due to the large content of hydrocarbons. In turn, the largest fraction of hydrocarbons in OKW matrix resulted in the largest chroma (c) and hue (h) characteristics. Further,  
Figure 4: Phase contrast microphotographs (left panel) and fluorescence microphotographs (right panel) of lemon essential oil matrixes prepared with beewax (**a**,**b**), candellilla wax (**c**,**d**), ozokerite wax (**e**,**f**), and carnauba wax (**g**,**h**). independent of the wax type, all LM had a volatile oil retention larger than 98%, confirming a large and stable structuring for LEO. On the other hand, the residual antioxidant activity that was conducted by the FRAP and ABTS methods showed a more stable behavior (up to 20-fold increase) than that obtained for the raw LEO, irrespective of the waxy material employed. Thus, it is plausible that, during storage at 50 \({}^{\circ}\)C for seven days, oil compounds, such as limonene, pinene, terpineol, and mircene, largely oxidized as compared to the compounds entrapped within the LM.