Encapsulation of Tocotrienol-Enriched Flaxseed Oil in Calcium Alginate–Carboxymethyl Cellulose Hydrogel Beads for Improved Oxidative Stability and Release Profile
Marjia Sultana, Eng‐Seng Chan, Janarthanan Pushpamalar, Wee Sim Choo
Abstract
The objective of this study was to encapsulate tocotrienol-enriched flaxseed oil in calcium alginate–carboxymethyl cellulose (CA-CMC) hydrogel beads by an extrusion-dripping technique. Two polymeric blends of sodium alginate and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose were selected to emulsify with flaxseed oil (10–50% v/v) depending on the sphericity and swelling behavior of the unloaded beads. One selected emulsion with a high stability, narrow particle size distribution, and small droplet mean diameter was used to prepare tocotrienol-enriched flaxseed oil beads. The beads were approximately 1.7 mm in diameter with a high encapsulation efficiency of approximately 87%. The beads swelled more in the intestinal fluid than the gastric fluid, allowing sustained and higher oil release in the intestinal fluid. CA-CMC beads protected the oxidation of tocotrienol-enriched flaxseed oil during storage at 4 and 65 °C, improving the oxidative stability of the enriched oil. CA-CMC beads have a good potential to preserve and deliver tocotrienol-enriched flaxseed oil.