Co-encapsulation of vitamins B12 and D3 using spray drying: Wall material optimization, product characterization, and release kinetics

Spray drying is the most commonly used encapsulation technique to stabilize sensitive bioactive compounds and sometimes enhances their performance. Vitamin B₁₂ and vitamin D₃ deficiencies are reported worldwide and co-encapsulation can provide a combined solution to this problem. The present work aimed at encapsulation of vitamin B₁₂ and D₃ by spray drying using experimental design to optimize wall material combination. Optimized solution obtained from the experimental design (gum acacia : Hi-Cap® 100 : maltodextrin = 38:60:2) provided spherical particles with smooth surface and better stability of both the vitamins. In vitro release mechanism showed a slow release for both the vitamins after encapsulation. The optimized co-encapsulated microcapsules obtained in this work showed an improved bioavailability of 151% for vitamin B₁₂ and 109% for vitamin D₃ in comparison with the control. This study delivered a suitable medium to provide water soluble vitamin B₁₂ and fat soluble vitamin D₃ in single product.