Study And Optimization Of Core-Shell Capsules Produced By Annular Jet Breaking Coextrusion

Oil-alginate capsules were produced by annular jet breaking coextrusion. Effects of alginate flow rate (30-50 mL/min), oil flow rate (4-18 mL/min), applied frequency (80-200 Hz), calcium concentration (1.5-50 g/L) and alginate solution age (24-72 h) and their interactions, on capsules shape and encapsulation payload were studied using response surface method. Analysis exhibited that capsules size was inversely proportional to calcium concentration and frequency. Small capsules presented higher core centricity index while alginate ageing does not have significant effect of the studied responses. Encapsulation payload was strongly related to alginate network structure and influenced by calcium concentration. Multi-response method was performed to produce an optimum model and a phenomenological model was successfully applied to model the effects of CaCl2 and alginate flow rate on beads volume to facilitate further industrial applications.