The study on preparation, stability and anti-allergic efficacy of phycocyanin microcapsules

The study aimed to investigate the stability and anti-allergic efficacy of phycocyanin through the construction of microcapsules. Phycocyanin (PC), a blue pigment found in microalgae, has attracted significant attention due to its anti-allergic properties. However, it is susceptible to instability when exposed to light, heat, and changes in pH. To address this issue, phycocyanin microcapsules were prepared using sodium alginate (SA), calcium chloride and chitosan (CS) as wall materials. The structures of microcapsules were carried out using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and particle size measurements that confirmed the successful encapsulation of PC within the microcapsules. The optimal effect was achieved when the mass ratio of PC to SA was 1:3, resulting in an embedding rate of 70.92 %. Stability studies shown that phycocyanin microcapsules exhibited the highest pigment retention rate under conditions of pH 6, darkness and a temperature of 37 °C. Furthermore, in vivo testing on mouse revealed a strong anti-allergic effect. These findings indicate that microcapsules prepared with phycocyanin as the core material exhibit high stability and a favorable anti-allergic effect, suggesting significant potential. This study serves as a reference for the further development of anti-allergic foods that can effectively prevent or alleviate food allergies.