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Updated: Jan 18, 2026
Extraction of Plant-based Capsules for Microencapsulation Applications
Published on: November 9, 2016
Enhancement of the stability of chlorophyll using chlorophyll-encapsulated polycaprolactone microparticles based on
Ching-Ju Hsiao1, Jui-Fen Lin2, Hsin-Yi Wen3
1Dept. of Biological Science & Technology, I-Shou University, Taiwan.
Abstract:
Chlorophyll is a valuable bioactive compound, which is used as a natural food coloring agent and a photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy because of its antioxidant properties, antimutagenic ability, and near-infrared fluorescence. However, chlorophyll is unstable when it comes to retaining its antioxidant activity, when exposed to oxygen, high temperature, or light environments. To enhance the stability of chlorophyll, a polymer encapsulation method was proposed. Polycaprolactone (PCL) was employed to encapsulate the chlorophyll, and the particles size of the composites was controlled through droplet microfluidics. The composites (chlorophyll-encapsulated PCL particles) were characterized through UV-VIS spectrometry, SEM, optical microscopy, and light exposure. The particles were spherical, with diameters adjustable from 68 to 247 μm. Additionally, the chlorophyll-encapsulated PCL particles exhibited considerably prolonged chlorophyll stability. The solid microparticle is more convenient for storage and transportation, and have great potential for application in the food industry.
