Microencapsulation of Pequi pulp oil by complex coacervation/Microencapsulacao de oleo da polpa de Pequi por coacervacao complexa

Pequi pulp oil, Caryocar brasiliense, is rich in carotenoids, antioxidant compound easily oxidized by the presence of heat, light and oxygen. In order to improve its stability, pequi oil was microencapsulated by complex coacervation using gelatin and Arabic gum as encapsulating agents. Twenty formulations were prepared using a [2.sup.3] central composite rotational design. The influence of temperature, stirring velocity and core material in the oil coacervation were evaluated, aiming to preserve carotenoids present in the oil. The best yield values and carotenoids content were obtained at the midpoint of the design (7.5g core, 15.000rpm and 50[degrees]C). Particles showed asymmetric distribution, with diameter ranging from 15 to 145 [micro]m and the efficiency of the encapsulation process, obtained by the retention of oil in the microcapsule, ranged from 66.58 to 96.50%, thus demonstrating the encapsulation efficiency of this method. Index terms: Caryocar brasiliense, carotenoids, retention. O oleo da polpa de pequi, Caryocar brasiliense, e rico em carotenoides, composto antioxidante facilmente oxidado pela presenca de calor, luz e oxigenio. Com o objetivo de melhorar sua estabilidade, o oleo de pequi foi microencapsulado por coacervacao complexa utilizando gelatina e goma arabica como agentes encapsulantes. Vinte formulacoes foram preparadas a partir do delineamento composto central rotacional [2.sup.3]. Neste estudo, foram avaliados a influencia da temperatura, a velocidade de agitacao e o material de nucleo na coacervacao, a fim de preservar os carotenoides presentes no oleo. Os melhores valores de rendimento e carotenoides foram obtidos no ponto central do delineamento (7,5 g de recheio, 15.000 rpm e 50[degrees]C). As particulas apresentaram distribuicao assimetrica com diametro de 15 a 145 [micro]m, e a eficiencia, obtida em funcao do oleo retido na microcapsula, variou entre 66,58 e 96,50%, comprovando a eficacia deste metodo de encapsulacao. Termos para indexacao: Caryocar brasiliense, carotenoides, retencao.