Microencapsulation of sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis L.) oil with zein

摘要

Microencapsulation of sacha inchi oil was investigated using zein as coating material. Factorial design was employed to study the effect of zein (x_1) and sacha inchi oil (x_2) concentrations on the microencapsulation by spray drying. The quality of microcapsules was evaluated by determination of particle yield, microencapsulation efficiency, flowing properties, particle size distribution, and morphology by scanning electron microscopy. Response surface model for particle yield, microencapsulation efficiency, and flowing properties showed a high coefficient of determination (R~2 > 90%) and a non-significant lack of fit (p > 0.05). The maximum particle yield and microencapsulation efficiency were 92.73% and 90.41 ± 0.74 %, respectively. Sacha inchi oil microcapsules have very poor handling properties based on the Hausner Ratio. Particle mean diameter decreases with the increasing of zein concentration. The morphology of sacha inchi oil microcapsules depends on the zein:sacha inchi oil ratios. Sacha inchi oil microcapsules appear to be composed of heterogeneous spheres of various diameters.