Background:
There is lack of cost effective microencapsulators for production of microcapsules with desired size (50-100 micrometres) with functional food ingredients. Incorporation of these microcapsule of 50-100 micrometres does not adversely affect the texture and mouth feel of intended functional foods. Also, the process contact parts of microencapsulators should be amenable for autoclaving and the configuration should be such that the microcapsules can be produced in clean and aseptic environment so that they can be incorporation into processed foods during processing or in finished food products. Technology Details:
The present invention involves innovative configurations of two fluid nozzles in which liquid jet flowing is broken into small droplets by multiple air jets in multiple stages and the stirring mechanism is provided to avoid clumping of the capsule as well as hardening the capsules. The microcapsules of desired size (50-100 micrometres) can be produced by breaking the matrix fluid in two or more stages. An autoclavable apparatus for clean production of microcapsules comprising: i. a container for a solution of pure sodium alginate or chitoson or carageenan or combination of these; ii. pump/other means for delivering a programmable controlled flow of said suspension through two fluid nozzles as claimed in claim 1; iii. collection of said micro droplets of said flow into an aqueous solution containing divalent cations or polycationic substances with resulting gelification yielding microcapsules with magnetic stirrer to avoid clumping of the capsule as well as hardening the capsules.