Microencapsulation of gallic acid in chitosan, β-cyclodextrin and xanthan

The microencapsulation of gallic acid (GA) with chitosan (C), β-cyclodextrin (β-CDS) or xanthan (X) was prepared by the lyophilization method. The encapsulation was verified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, UV–visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. Both the encapsulation efficiency and the antioxidative activity were evaluated. According to our results, the gallic acid was encapsulated by lyophilization in matrices of chitosan, β-cyclodextrin and xanthan. The encapsulated gallic acid showed no loss of antioxidant capacity and different characteristics from the pure gallic acid confirming the techniques used. With the chitosan matrix, a higher encapsulation efficiency, and capsules with characteristic shape were obtained.

► The gallic acid was encapsulated by lyophilization method in matrices of chitosan, β-cyclodextrin and xanthan.
► With the chitosan matrix, a higher encapsulation efficiency, and capsules with characteristic shape were obtained.
► Encapsulated GA retained antioxidant capacity.