Encapsulation of lipophilic and insoluble substances within hard-fat based beads
Long chain triglycerides can be employed as a unique structural material to produce beads for the successful encapsulation and retention of lipophilic substances. At temperatures below 40 °C these fats form solid structures which can entrap the material present. Above these temperatures the solid fats melt and release the encapsulated material or the fat is digested in the digestive tract.
The method enables the encapsulated substance (termed encapsulant) to be protected from many different environmental conditions such as oxygen, heat, pH etc., and can help prolong its shelf life.