Poly(L-lactide) microcapsules containing fragrant aqueous solution were prepared by interfacial precipitation method through solvent evaporation from (w/o)/w emulsion. The effects of four determinative process parameters on the particle size distributions, surface morphologies, and release behavior of the microcapsules coated with poly(L-lactides) were investigated. As a result, the poly(L-lactide) microcapsules with a narrower distributive, rounder, and more permeable membranes were prepared with the increase of the concentration of protective colloid, solution amount and stirring time. This was related with the surface roughness of the microcapsules. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.