Abstract: In a process for the microencapsulation of water-soluble active ingredients according to the principle of phase separation, which comprises the steps(a) Preparation of a solution of a biocompatible polymer in an organic solvent;(b) Addition of an aqueous solution of one or more active ingredients or dispersion of one or more solid active ingredients in the solution from stage (a);(c) Addition of a coacervation agent to the emulsion or dispersion from stage (b);(d) Introduction of the mixture from stage (c) into an excess of a hardening agent;(e) Collection and washing of the microcapsules,natural or synthetic esters of saturated C.sub.4 to C.sub.18 carboxylic acids and polyhydric alcohols are used as hardening agents.