RESUMO
An intestine-specific delivery system for hydrophobic bioactives with improved stability was developed. It consists of oxidized potato starch polymers, where the carboxyl groups were physically cross-linked via ferric ions. The model hydrophobic ingredients (ß-carotene) were incorporated inside the starch microspheres via a double-emulsion method. Confocal laser scanning microscopy images showed that ß-carotene were distributed homogeneously in the inner oil phase of the starch microspheres. The negative value of the ζ-potential of microspheres increased with increasing pH and decreasing ionic strength. In vitro release experiments showed that the microspheres were stable at acidic stomach conditions (pH < 2), whereas at neutral intestinal conditions (pH 7.0), they rupture to release the loaded ß-carotene. The 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical, 2,2-diphenyl-1-(2,4,6-trinitriphenyl), scavenging activity results suggested that microsphere-encapsulated ß-carotene had an improved activity after thermal treatment at 80 °C. The storage stability of encapsulated ß-carotene at room temperature was also enhanced. The starch microspheres showed potential as intestine-specific carriers with an enhanced stability.