Complex Coacervation Between Gelatin and Chia Mucilage as an Alternative of Encapsulating Agents

Complex coacervation between gelatin type B (GE) and chia mucilage (ChM) was studied. GE-ChM were mixed at mass ratios of 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, and 1:2 in a pH range of 1.50 to 5.00, maintaining a total solid concentration of 0.2% (w/w), using turbidity and viscosity tests to obtain the highest yield of complex coacervates. To characterize the complex coacervates, morphology and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were determined. The optimum yield for complex coacervation was achieved with a GE-ChM mass ratio of 2:1 and pH value of 3.6. The critical pH values associated with the formation of soluble (pH_c ) and insoluble (pH_ɸ1 ) complexes, and complete dissociation (pH_ɸ2 ) at the optimum GE-ChM ratio were found to be 4.50, 4.10, and 2.00, respectively. It was observed that increasing the mass ratio of GE or ChM, the yield of complex coacervates decreased; the higher yields were obtained with the proportions of 2:1 and 1:1 with values of 68.25 ± 0.05% and 61.04 ± 0.05%, respectively. Capsules formed at mass ratios of 1:1, 2:1, and 3:1, had the characteristic grape agglomerate shape for complex coacervates. Further characterization with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed a spherical shape for capsules. FTIR spectrum of complex coacervates at optimum conditions had a combination of bands corresponding to GE and ChM, suggesting an interaction between GE-ChM during the formation of complex coacervates. Therefore, complex coacervates between GE-ChM can be formed, and could be used as an alternative as encapsulating agents to be applied in the food industry. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Complex coacervation is a technique that is being studied in several applications in the food industry. However, studies are still being made to explore different possibilities of natural sources to be used in complex coacervation. This study showed that the combination of gelatin and chia mucilage may be an alternative as encapsulating agents for complex coacervation to be applied in the food industry.