MICROENCAPSULATION OF TURMERIC OLEORESIN BY SPRAY DRYING AND IN VITRO RELEASE STUDIES OF MICROCAPSULES

The present work reports on the microencapsulation of turmeric oleoresin by spray drying using different ratios of maltodextrin and gum arabic (100:0–0:100) as wall material. Solvent-extracted and commercial oleoresin microcapsules prepared using gum arabic alone as wall material and spray dried at the inlet air temperature of 175C showed higher encapsulation efficiency of 71.74 and 73.67%, maximum curcumin of 3.41 and 3.39 g/100 g and oleoresin content of 7.16 and 7.29 g/100 g, respectively. Stability of microcapsules against light, oxygen and heat was higher than the nonencapsulated oleoresin. In vitro release study showed initial burst release followed by a controlled release of curcumin from microcapsules over a period of 1 week. Practical Applications Turmeric oleoresin is an approved natural colorant that is prepared by solvent extraction of turmeric powder. It is a mixture of curcumin, volatile oil, nonvolatile fatty and resinous material, and other active ingredients. Curcumin has a number of potentially beneficial biological activities such as antitumor, antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. But it is readily decomposed when exposed to bright light, high temperature or oxidative conditions. Microencapsulation of turmeric oleoresin protects it against destructive changes, converts it into a free-flowing powder and controls the release of curcumin. Because the prepared turmeric oleoresin microcapsules are in the powder form, it can be used easily as a natural colorant in foods. Also oleoresin microcapsule provides longtime retention of curcumin in the stomach, thus helping in better and complete absorption of curcumin. Hence, these microcapsules can be used as a therapeutic agent.