Electrostatic Interaction-Based Fabrication of Calcium Alginate–Zein Core–Shell Microcapsules of Regulable Shapes and Sizes

Core-shell microcapsules with combined features of hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity have become much popular. However, the assembly biocompatible edible materials in hydrophilic-hydrophobic core-shell is not easy. In this work, based on electrostatic interactions, we prepared controllable calcium alginate (ALG)-zein particles different shapes sizes using hydrophilic ALG hydrophobic zein by a two-step extrusion method. Negatively charged hydrogel beads spherical, ellipsoidal, or fibrous shape were added into positively solution (dissolved 70% (v/v) aqueous ethanol solution) to achieve different-shaped particles. Interestingly, size, shape, shell thickness can be regulated needle diameter, stirring speed, concentration. Moreover, for simplification, also synthesized one-step method, which an was dropwise containing CaCl2. The work showed controlled digestion encapsulated medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) sustained release thiamine ethyl maltol. Our preparation method simplistic extended fabricate variety structures encapsulate broad spectrum materials.