Microencapsulation is defined as the technology of packaging solids, liquids or gaseous materials in minature (diameter between 1 and 1000 mm) in which the sealed capsules can release their contents at the controlled rates and under the specific conditions. Microencapsulation of cream is among those methods that can be used to prevent its oxidation and therefore increase its shelf life. Many researches have been carried out on the microencapsulation of cream (it has many applications in various food industries) and results indicated that the limited number of coating materials have been successfully used for the encapsulation of cream. In the present work, whey powder containing approximately 12% of protein was used as the main wall constituent. Gluten gelatin refined starch and licorice extract were also used in varying amounts as a partial replacement for the whey powder in the wall formation. Cream was used as the core material and the spray drying technique was used for the microencapsulation process. The effects of the type and the concentration of the wall materials as well as the amount of the core material on the microencapsulation efficiency and microencapsulation yield were investigated and the results were reported. 

Background and objectives: CoQ10 is a lipophylic natural antioxidant with fundamental role in mitochondria bioenergetics. The positive effect of CoQ10 in therapy of many diseases is attributed to its antioxidant and bioenergetics properties. Reduction of endogenous synthesis of CoQ10 by the ageing, insufficient amount in the food and several health benefits of CoQ10 have led to food fortification. The objective of this study was to microencapsulate CoQ10 by complex coacervation method and determinate of optimum mixture component (β-lactoglobulin (β-lg), Arabic Gum (AG), Oil containing CoQ10 and water) to achieve maximum value of microencapsulation efficiency (ME) and payload. Due to temperature sensitive characteristic of CoQ10, Gelatin was replaced with β-lg and combination of β-lg and AG were used to microencapsulation of Oil containing CoQ10. Materials and methods: At first CoQ10 powder and olive oil were poured in opaque tube and stirred in incubator shaker for 24h. Then solutions of β-lg and GA were prepared at 1-4% (w/w), by dispersing the required amount of them in deionized water and microcapsules were formed by adding oil phase containing CoQ10 to the β-lg solution and preparation of emulsion, adding the GA solution and adjusting pH to 4. After separation of microcapsules freeze dryer was used to dehydration of them, and Morphology of CoQ10 microcapsules was examined using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and an optical microscope. The particle size and the particle size distribution of moist microcapsules were determined using a particle size analyzer. In the next stage it was used from n-hexane to extracting oil and extracted oil was dissolved in 1, 4-dioxane and analyzed by a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system, and microencapsulation efficiency was calculated for microcapsules before and after freeze drying. At the end the effect of oven drying and defrost on microencapsulation efficiency was studied for 5 formulations. Results: ME values before drying for all formulations except one sample (containing: 4%β-lg, 4%AG, 5%Oil and 87% water) were in the range of 94. 05-99. 01%. Variation in ME and payload values after freeze drying was in the range of 34. 91-92. 45 and 24. 78-83. 75%, respectively and sample containing 2. 5% (w/w) β-lg and 2. 5% (w/w) AG and 5 % (w/w) oil obtained the highest ME value, an homogeneous particle size distribution and had a smooth and free of pores surface. Conclusion: Based on the results, formulation containing 2. 5% (w/w) β-lg and AG and 5 % (w/w) oil can be successfully used to microencapsulation of CoQ10.

Nifedipine (NIF), a 1,4-dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonist, undergoes photodegradation to dehydro-nifedipine (DNIF) upon exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light and to the nitroso analogue of dehydro-nifedipine (NDNIF) when exposed to sunlight or some kinds of artificial lights. NIF photo-degradation products do not contribute to clinical activity, thus prevention of photo-degradation of NIF formulations is very important. Large differences in photo-stability between bioequivalent NIF products could potentially result in the therapeutic failure of unstable preparations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of microencapsulation on nifedipine photo-stability. Four different microspheres of nifedipine were prepared using ethyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose plus titanium oxide, pectin and gelatin.Microspheres were exposed to fluorescent light and the content of NIF, DNIF and NDNIF for each product was measured using a specific and sensitive reversed phase high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) method to determine the extent of photo-decomposition. In addition, photo-degradation of pure NIF powder was compared with acidic and buffer solution of NIF.Solution of NIF degraded in one day, while microencapsulation of NIF prevented the photodegradation for up to six days against light exposure. Therefore, it may be concluded that present microencapsulation method without using other compounds such as opaque materials do not provide enough protection.