Investigating the effect of wall material and pressure homogenisation on encapsulation parameters and thermal stability in chia seed oil microcapsules

Abstract

Aim

To evaluate the effect of different wall material (WM) matrices followed by homogenisation to encapsulate chia seed oil (CSO) using freeze drying technology.

Methods

CSO was encapsulated using three ratios (100/0, 50/50, and 100/0) of two WM matrices: MTS/WPC (modified tapioca starch–whey protein concentrate) and MD/WPC (maltodextrin–whey protein concentrate). The evaluation included encapsulation efficiency (EE), oxidative stability, and α-linolenic acid (ALA) retention. Homogenised microcapsules (-H) were then assessed for storage and thermal stability, along with cumulative oil release.

Results

The MD-WPC-H 50/50 microcapsules had superior EE (97.32%), higher ALA retention (60.2%), storage stability (up to 30 days), higher thermal stability (up to 700 °C), and desirable oil release in simulated condition.

Conclusion

Selecting suitable WM and homogenisation is key for improving EE, storage, thermal stability, and targeted release. The CSO microcapsule can serve as a functional ingredient to improve the quality of diverse food products.

Keywords:

• Chia seed oil microcapsule
• freeze dryer
• α-linolenic acid
• tapioca starch
• particle size distribution
• thermogravimetric analysis

Acknowledgements

The first author expresses gratitude to ICAR-IARI (New Delhi) for their financial support through the IARI-Senior Scholarship for Ph.D. Additionally, the writer appreciates the Division of Food Science and Postharvest Technology and the Division of Genetics at ICAR-IARI for their provision of necessary research facilities. The authors also acknowledge the facility provided by Dr. Abhijit Kar, Director, ICAR – National Institute of Secondary Agriculture, India.

Author contributions

The entire group of authors played a role in developing the study concept and designing the experiment. VA drafted the manuscript, while VA, VK, SV, MK, and CK oversaw and conducted the preparation, collection, and methodology of the materials. VA, VK, and CK performed data collection and analysis.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this article.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.