Optimization of microcapsules shell structure to preserve labile compounds: A comparison between microfluidics and conventional homogenization method

•Microfluidics is proposed to optimize formulation of fish oil loaded microcapsules.•Laccase reinforces whey protein microgels and beet pectin in microcapsule shell.•Calcium chloride weakens electrostatic interactions in the microcapsule shell.

A new technique is presented to optimize the formulation of microcapsules loaded with labile compounds. Fish oil was loaded into the microcapsule core and protected with a shell composed of whey protein microgel/beet pectin complexes. The microcapsules were formed using two different methods: microfluidics and homogenization. The microcapsules were further classified into three sub-groups. The first group was the microcapsules cross-linked with laccase (MCL), the second group was the microcapsules cross-linked with divalent cationic CaCl2 salt (MCS), and the third group consisted of control microcapsules (CM), with no cross-linking. The microfluidics method enabled tracking of the effect of the shell cross-linking ability of laccase, or CaCl2, on microcapsules. It was demonstrated that MCL obtained by microfluidics are more physicochemically stable than those produced via a homogenizer. The effect of cross-linking agents on the microcapsules were more significant when the microcapsules were produced by microfluidics.

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