News > Spray Drying Encapsulation: How to Protect Natural Actives?

Natural actives such as plant extracts, essential oils, flavors, probiotics, and antioxidants are increasingly used in the food, cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and nutrition industries.

Despite their benefits, many of these compounds are unstable when exposed to heat, oxygen, or light, which compromises their effectiveness and commercial viability. The solution? Encapsulation.

Spray drying stands out as one of the most efficient techniques for encapsulating natural actives. Below, we explain how this process works and the advantages it offers.

 

• WHAT IS SPRAY DRYING ENCAPSULATION?
Encapsulation is the process of surrounding an active ingredient with a protective matrix, forming solid particles that safeguard the compound until the desired moment of release (e.g., in the stomach, on the skin, or in a food product).

In spray drying, this is achieved by atomizing a solution containing the active ingredient + an encapsulating agent (such as maltodextrin, gum arabic, etc.) into a stream of hot air. The liquid evaporates quickly, forming dry microparticles.

 

• WHICH ACTIVES CAN BE ENCAPSULATED?

  • Essential oils

  • Plant extracts

  • Probiotics

  • Flavors and aromas

  • Bioactive and nutraceutical compounds

  • Natural pigments

• MAIN ADVANTAGES OF SPRAY DRYING ENCAPSULATION
Thermal protection: Although hot air is used, the exposure time is very short, preserving heat-sensitive compounds.
Stability: Reduces degradation due to oxidation, moisture, and light.
Improved handling and application: Converts liquids or pastes into powders that are easy to use in solid formulations, capsules, tablets, or powdered foods.
Controlled release: The release profile can be adjusted according to the type of encapsulating agent and environmental conditions (pH, temperature, humidity).
Cost-effectiveness: Compared to other techniques like freeze-drying or coacervation, spray drying is faster, scalable, and more affordable.

 

• APPLICATION EXAMPLES:

  • Food industry: Microencapsulated flavors for beverages, soups, and supplements

  • Cosmetics: Protected natural oils for creams, masks, or serums

  • Pharmaceuticals: Encapsulated probiotics and extracts to ensure viability until intestinal release

 

Spray drying encapsulation is an efficient and versatile technological solution to protect natural actives and ensure their effectiveness in the final product.

At Labmaq, we develop bench-top and industrial spray dryers, ideal for testing, development, and full-scale production. Our team can also assist in selecting the right encapsulating agent and defining optimal process parameters.

 

Contact us to discuss your application!

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