ABSTRACT
The starch inclusion complexation of sensitive compounds requires the use of conditions that minimize their degradation. This research work is aimed at investigating the effect of an alkaline complexation method employing mild reaction conditions on the physicochemical properties and accelerated stability of inclusion complexes of high amylose corn starch with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Hydrolyzed chia seed oil, rich in α-linolenic and linoleic fatty acids, was used as guest material and was incorporated at two ratios (10 and 20 % w/w hydrolysate/starch). Under the reaction conditions assessed, it were successfully formed V-type inclusion complexes with a high content of omega-3 and omega-6 (3.9-6 %). The initial hydrolysate concentration did not have a significant effect on the structural (crystallinity, short-range order) and thermal (dissociation temperature, melting enthalpy) properties. The method studied allowed the formation of complexes with an enhanced accelerated oxidative stability, compared to those formed using thermal treatment. The complexes formed using mild conditions with 20 % hydrolysate content had the highest oxidative stability, showing an omega-3 and omega-6 retention >90 % after 6 h of storage at 90 °C, an enhanced stability under thermogravimetric analysis, and flattened Rancimat curves, suggesting an appropriate preliminary behavior as potential carriers of bioactive fatty acids.