Microencapsulation of riboflavin (vitamin B2) using alginate and chitosan : effect of alginate and chitosan concentration upon encapsulation efficiency

Riboflavin (Vitamin B 2 ) plays an important role in the human tissue development, the production of red blood cells and helps release energy by breaking down proteins, fats and carbohydrates. Riboflavin cannot be produced the human body therefore must be supplied outside via dairy food. Riboflavin is very sensitive and unstable to environmental influence such as light and reduction agent. One of technology for maintaining the stability of riboflavin is microencapsulation which is composed of polymer matrix containing riboflavin. Na-alginate was chosen because it has properties such as biodegradable, biocompatibility, and non-toxic. Na-alginate also has a high loading capacity of riboflavin but Na-alginate is also easy to release riboflavin. Solving this issue, Na-alginate was coated with chitosan and the layer is then reinforced by crosslinking process with glutaraldehyde. The process of forming micro-sized particles was carried out by the emulsification ionic-gel method. This research aims to study the microencapsulation process of riboflavin with Na-alginate and chitosan. This research also studied the effect of Na-alginate and chiton concentrations upon encapsulation efficiency. The research showed that microencapsulation of riboflavin with alginate and chitosan can be done. The results showed that the Na-alginate and chitosan concentrations had an effect on the encapsulation efficiency. The increase in the concentration of alginate and chitosan will make the encapsulation efficiency higher until it finally reaches the optimum point. Encapsulation efficiency will drop past that point. The optimum point for Na-alginate and chitosan concentration are 3% and 2% respectively.