Effect of different drying methods on zein‐based microcapsules loaded with Artemisia argyis essence obtained by anti‐solvent precipitation

Abstract

AbstractMicroencapsulation is considered an efficient technique to protect functional materials from oxidization while enabling controlled release. In this study, anti‐solvent precipitation was used to prepare zein‐based microcapsules loaded with Artemisia argyis essence (AAE@ZMs). The impact of different drying methods, namely vacuum drying, freeze drying, and spray drying on AAE@ZMs was evaluated. Quality of AAE@ZMs was evaluated by the determination of color, moisture content, bulk density, chemical structure, and morphology evaluation. Freeze dried AAE@ZMs (F‐AAE@ZMs) and vacuum dried microcapsules (V‐AAE@ZMs) respectively showed stronger water and oil absorption capacities. The residual content of Artemisia argyis essence (AAE) in V‐AAE@ZMs was higher than those in F‐AAE@ZMs and spray dried microcapsules (S‐AAE@ZMs) after continuously releasing for 120 h. Meanwhile, heated from 30 to 600°C, the residues of V‐AAE@ZMs and F‐AAE@ZMs were lower than those of S‐AAE@ZMs. Therefore, drying methods greatly affected key quality parameters of AAE@ZMs. This study provides guidance on the use of drying methods in microcapsules delivery systems with zein or other materials.