Microencapsulation of flexirubin-type pigment by spray drying: characterization and antioxidant activity

• Main Authors: Venil, C. K., Khasim, A. R., Aruldass, C. A., Ahmad, W. A.
• Format: Article
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 2016
• Subjects: QD Chemistry
• Online Access: http://eprints.utm.my/id/eprint/72110/; https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84961855350&doi=10.1016%2fj.ibiod.2016.01.014&partnerID=40&md5=360d60655390c0f9d9d47da8418f5fb7
• Institution: Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

In this work we directed our inquiries to develop a stable flexirubin powder and to evaluate its properties and antioxidant activity. Flexirubin powders were produced by spray drying using two types of carrier agents: gum arabic (GA) and қ-carrageenan (KC) at different inlet air temperatures (140–220 °C). The effect of encapsulation yield, moisture content, hygroscopicity, bulk density, solubility, particle morphology, storage stability and antioxidant activities were determined for both carrier agents. Encapsulation yield, moisture content and bulk densities were greatly influenced by the drying inlet air temperature. The stability test revealed that microencapsulation offered greater protection to flexirubin compared to its free form. Antioxidant activity is higher for microcapsules (687.5 g/kg wet basis) and the boosted properties of microcapsules with high colour stability indicate that this product, which currently has no commercial value, may be used as a natural pigment.