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Carotenoids are susceptible to isomerization and oxidation upon exposure to oxygen, light and heat, which can result in loss of color, antioxidant activity, and vitamin activity. Microencapsulation helps retain carotenoid stability and promotes their release under specific conditions. Thus, the aim of the study was to encapsulate palm oil and β-carotene with chitosan/sodium tripolyphosphate or chitosan/carboxymethylcellulose and to assess the performance of these microparticles in food systems by analyzing their release profile under simulated gastric and intestinal conditions. Encapsulation efficiency was greater than 95%, and the yield of microparticles coated with chitosan/sodium tripolyphosphate was approximately 55%, while that of microparticles coated with chitosan/carboxymethylcellulose was 87%. Particles encapsulated with chitosan/carboxymethylcellulose exhibited ideal release behavior in water and gastric fluid, but showed low release in the intestinal fluid. However, when applied to food systems these particles showed enhanced carotenoid release but showed low release of carotenoids upon storage.

This study aimed at microencapsulating palm oil, containing high carotenoid content, with chitosan/xanthan and chitosan/pectin, using the complex coacervation method, followed by atomization and lyophilization. The DSC technique was used to confirm the encapsulation. The atomized microparticles had spherical shape and irregular size, and the lyophilized microparticles had irregular shape and size. Lyophilization resulted in lower carotenoids losses, and higher yield and encapsulation efficiency. In addition, the release profile in both water and gastrointestinal fluid was satisfactory. Prior to their application in food, a greater percentage of carotenoids was released in the fluid that simulates gastrointestinal conditions; however, the compounds were degraded after their release. In this case, the chitosan/pectin microparticles showed the best release profile. After processing, the release was lower and the released compounds were not degraded. Thus, the chitosan/xanthan microparticles showed the best potential for practical application, particularly, in yogurt preparation.

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