Lutein is a hydrophobic carotenoid with diverse bioactivities. For encapsulating the molecule in a novel method, we prepared two emulsions from xanthan and propylene glycol alginate at the ratios of 3:7 and 4:6. The instability index and particle size of the emulsions were determined using a stability analyzer and laser particle size analyzer. The influence of crystallization on the emulsions was observed under a polarizing microscope. The effects of centrifugal force and storage on the lutein emulsions were analyzed by measuring the changes in absorbance. The results showed that the emulsion fabricated by xanthan and propylene glycol alginate at the ratio of 4:6 was highly stable, and crystals were dispersed when xanthan and propylene glycol alginate existed. These results revealed that the hydrophobicity and absorption kinetics of emulsifiers would determine the stability of emulsion when the viscosity of emulsifiers reached a certain value, and the stability of emulsions would affect the stability of lutein in the emulsions.
Keywords: Lutein; O/W emulsion; Propylene glycol alginate; Xanthan.
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