ENCAPSULATION OF SYNTHETIC FLAVORS AND NATURAL EXTRACTS OF FRUITS, GRAINS AND DRUGS WITH GUM EXTRACTED FROM OPUNTIA SPP AND CYLINDROPUNTIA IMBRICATA BY MEANS OF SPRAY DRIERS SO AS TO BE USED AS RAW MATERIAL IN THE FOOD AND PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY.

摘要

Described is a process for extracting mucilage from Opuntia spp and Cylindropuntia imbricata, the product, dry or humid mucilage, the encapsulation process with mucilage extracted from Opuntia spp and Cylindropuntia imbricate by spray dryers and the application thereof in the food and pharmaceutical industry or in any equivalent application, as raw material in the manufacture of soft drinks, refreshing beverages, confectionery, fried snacks, in the industry of coffee in powder, drugs and all industry using flavors in powder. The extraction of mucilage from the aforementioned species, or equivalent, is performed with fruits and stalls with an adequate sanity and quality, these being cut and macerated in order to extract the mucilage. A filtration process is performed so as to remove the seeds and obtain a mucilage free of large particles. The mucilage may be immediately used or subjected to a dehydration process for being stored in optimum conditions for further use as an agent for enc apsulating synthetic flavors and natural extracts of fruits, grains and drugs. The purpose of the invention is to provide an alternative use to opuntia as a substitute of Arabic gum acting as an encapsulating agent, the species being Opuntia spp and Cylindropuntia imbricate. These species are an affordable raw material useful and efficient for encapsulating aromatic substances used in the food industry of easy availability, providing flavors in powder a useful life of up to one year.