Efficiency of novel iron microencapsulation techniques: fortification of milk

Effects of iron/lipid ratio, Tween 80 and polyglycerol monostearate (PGMS)/iron ratio on encapsulation efficiency (EE) of liposome and fatty acid esters (FAE) methods were investigated. Then, microencapsulated irons were added to pasteurised milk, and during storage, stability, colour and sensory characteristics were evaluated. Regarding liposome method, the highest EE (85.5%) was found at iron/lipid ratio and Tween 80 of 0.04 and 5%, respectively. In terms of FAE, the highest EE (81.8%) was obtained at PGMS/iron salt ratio of 15:1. Regarding sensory properties, the differences were insignificant (P > 0.05) except metallic taste and smell (P < 0.05). Moreover, milk fortified with FAE-microencapsulated irons showed highest similarity to control particularly at low concentration (7 mg L-1). In general, the FAE technique was found very efficient, low cost, simple, rapid and practical for microencapsulation of iron in either forms as well as fortification of pasteurised milk.