Encapsulation of β‐carotene in 2‐hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin/carrageenan/soy protein using a modified spray drying process

Abstract

SummaryThe objective of this study was to produce ternary complex encapsulates to improve solubility and bioaccessibility of the β‐carotene (β‐c). A modified spray drying process was used to produce encapsulated β‐c particles with 2‐hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin (HβCD), carrageenan (CRG), and soy protein (SP). Physicochemical properties, dissolution behaviour, and in vitro gastrointestinal (GI) stability of the encapsulate were studied. The optimised ternary complex (β‐c/HβCD/CRG/SP) particles had a spherical shape with a particle size of 726.1 nm, polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.41, the zeta potential of −45 mV, and higher retention of β‐c with 84% encapsulation efficiency. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis revealed that encapsulates are in the amorphous state and had excellent solubility. The bioaccessibility of β‐c was found to be significantly higher for β‐c/HβCD/CRG/SP (78%), compared to β‐c/HβCD (34%) and β‐c/HβCD/CRG (62%), in the in vitro study. This study concludes that the HβCD/CRG/SP ternary complex facilitates a potential delivery system for hydrophobic bioactive compounds with improved solubility and bioaccessibility.