Microencapsulation of Algal Oil Using Spray Drying Technology.

Area of Science:

• Food Science and Technology
• Biotechnology
• Materials Science

Background:

• Algal oil is a rich source of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an essential omega-3 fatty acid.
• Microencapsulation is crucial for protecting sensitive oils and improving their delivery.
• Spray drying is a widely used technique for microencapsulation in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an optimized spray drying process for microencapsulating algal oil with high DHA content (≥40%).
• To investigate the impact of emulsification and spray drying parameters on microcapsule characteristics.
• To evaluate the quality and morphology of the resulting microcapsules.

Main Methods:

• Microencapsulation of algal oil using Purity Gum® 2000 and Capsul® as wall materials via spray drying.
• Optimization of emulsification parameters (shear velocity, homogenization pressure, passes) and spray drying conditions (rotational speed, air inlet temperature).
• Characterization of emulsion droplets and microcapsules using optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Main Results:

• Optimal emulsification conditions included a shear velocity of 8.63 m/s, homogenization pressure of 1.75·10⁸ Pa, and six homogenization passes.
• Ideal spray drying conditions involved a rotational disk speed of 400 s⁻¹ and an air inlet temperature of 170 °C.
• The resulting microcapsules were spherical, smooth, and free from defects like pores or cracks, with controlled moisture and surface oil content.

Conclusions:

• The developed spray drying process is effective for microencapsulating algal oil with high DHA content.
• Optimized process parameters ensure the production of high-quality, defect-free microcapsules.
• This method offers a feasible approach for preserving and delivering DHA-rich algal oil.