in vitro release studies on nano gels gum:chitosan 1:10, 1:1 and 10:1 produced at 5% cashew gum concentration, matrix:oil 10:2 were performed, and the results are shown in Fig. 2 (II). Release pattern showed a difusional profile, dependent of the gum:chitosan ratio. After 3 h, the nanogels presented 30%, 50% and 65% of oil released for samples gum:chitosan 1:10, gum:chitosan 1:1 and gum:chitosan 10:1, respectively. The increase of cashew gum in the polymer matrix, which resulted in an increase of nanogel hydrophilic character, seemed to favor the release of L. sidoides essential oil. After 24 h, it is observed that sample gum:chitosan 10:1 showed 74% of oil released. Reducing the quantity of cashew gum in the matrix, slower release profiles were achieved, where gum:chitosan 1:10 sample presented the lowest percentage of oil released(35%)