Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 7, 2025
Extraction of Plant-based Capsules for Microencapsulation Applications
Published on: November 9, 2016
Electrosprayed cashew gum microparticles for the encapsulation of highly sensitive bioactive materials
Y Vázquez-González1, C Prieto2, M F Filizoglu3
1Novel Materials and Nanotechnology Group, Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology (IATA), Spanish Council for Scientific Research (CSIC), Calle Catedrático Agustín Escardino Benlloch 7, 46980, Paterna, Spain; Laboratorio Integral de Investigación en Alimentos, Tecnológico Nacional de México - Instituto Tecnológico de Tepic, Av. Tecnológico de Tepic, Av. Tecnológico # 2595, C.P. 63195, Tepic, Nayarit, Mexico.
Abstract:
This study focuses on the production and characterization of electrosprayed cashew gum (CG) microparticles that encapsulate β-carotene. CG is an inexpensive, non-toxic polysaccharide obtained from Anacardium occidentale trees. Encapsulation of β-carotene in CG was performed by electrospraying from two emulsion formulations (water : oil ratios 80:20 and 90:10 (v/v)) in which the dispersed phase consisted of β-carotene dissolved in castor oil, and the continuous phase was a CG aqueous solution. Spherical particles with smooth surface and medium size between 3 and 6 μm were obtained. The particles produced from the 90:10 (v/v) emulsion showed a loading capacity of 0.075 ± 0.006 % and a minor amount of extractable β-carotene, 10.75 ± 2.42 %. ATR-FTIR confirmed the absence of interaction between the particles' components. CG demonstrated to offer thermoprotection, and photoprotection for short periods of time. These results make CG a viable candidate to encapsulate bioactive compounds via electrospraying for agricultural, food and pharmaceutical applications.
