Microencapsulation of Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) using Alginate and Chitosan : Effect of Alginate and Chitosan Concentration upon Microcapsule Diameter

Abstract

Riboflavin ( Vitamin B2) plays an important role in the development of human body tissue, the production of red blood cells and helps release energy derived from protein. Riboflavin cannot be produced and stored by the human body therefore must be supplied outside via food. Riboflavin is very sensitive and unstable to environmental influence such as light and reductor. One of technology for maintaining the stability of riboflavin is microencapsulation which is composed of polymer matrix containing riboflavin. Alginate was chosen as a polymer matrix because of riboflavin's absorption ability, biodegradable, biocompatible and non-toxic. The matrix polymer is strengthened by coating it with chitosan. The layer is then reinforced by crosslinking with glutaraldehyde. This research aims to study the microencapsulation process of riboflavin with alginate and chitosan. This research also studied the effect of alginate and chiton concentrations upon the diameter of microcapsules.The results showed that microencapsulation of riboflavin with alginate and chitosan can be done. The increase in chitosan concentration will reduce the size of microcapsules diameter. The concentration of alginate does not significantly affect the size of microcapsules diameter. Average diameter microcapsule range 380 - 610 μm, smaller than other research studies.