Physicochemical characterisation and oxidative stability of fish oil and fish oil–extra virgin olive oil microencapsulated by sugar beet pectin

Spray-dried microcapsules were prepared at 25% and 50% w/w oil load from sugar beet pectin-stabilised emulsions (pH 3) containing fish oil, and a blend of fish oil and with extra virgin olive oil (1:1 w/w). Microencapsulation efficiencies were high (≥90%). However, deterioration in microcapsule wall integrity and an increase in oil droplet size were observed during storage (25 °C, 0–3 months). Lipid oxidation increased with both increased oil load (P < 0.05) and storage duration (P < 0.05), but was independent of oil composition (P > 0.05). These results suggest that sugar beet pectin functions poorly as a wall material and its residual metal ions exacerbate omega-3 oxidation, despite the presence of endogenous antioxidants found in extra virgin olive oil. Interestingly, under accelerated storage conditions (OxiPres® at 80 °C, 0.5 bar oxygen pressure), microcapsules containing the oil blend showed the best oxidative stability (P < 0.05), irrespective of oil load. A possible explanation for the superior oxidative stability of the microencapsulated oil blend at high storage temperature is discussed.

Research highlights
► Sugar beet pectin-based microcapsules showed low oxidative protection.
► Lipid oxidation was independent of oil composition for microcapsules stored at 25 °C.
► Lipophilic antioxidants does not necessarily translate into improved oil stability.
► Surface active lipid components and droplet charge contributed to oxidative stability.
► Olive oil-fish oil blends had superior oxidative stability (80 °C, 0.5 bar O2).