tIn this study, chitosan, which was obtained from the waste shells of crayfish (Astacus leptodactylus), wasused for the encapsulation of the essential oil isolated from coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) via thespray drying method. The obtained capsules were characterized using SEM, FT-IR, TGA and XRD. The sizeof the microcapsules was between 400 nm − 7 m. It was determined that the swelling characteristic ofthe capsules was pH sensitive. The release showed bi-phasic characteristics and the maximum degreewas reached after 72 h. Antimicrobial activity studies showed that pure chitosan more effective than thecapsule. The antioxidant activity was recorded concentration-dependent. In contrast the antimicrobialactivity, antioxidant activity of the capsule was found much higher than the oil and the pure chitosan. Con-sequently, it was determined that this product could be used in the food and pharmaceutical industriesas a natural antioxidant and antimicrobial agent.