Encapsulation of tocotrienol-enriched flaxseed oil in calcium alginate-carboxymethyl cellulose hydrogel beads for improved oxidative stability and release profile

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.