Microencapsulation of shiitake (Lentinula edodes) essential oil by complex coacervation: formation, rheological property, oxidative stability and odour attenuation effect

Complex coacervation of gelatin (GE) with carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and the microencapsulation of shiitake essential oil (SEO) using the GE‐CMC coacervate were investigated. The ζ‐potential and coacervate yield data showed that the optimal complexation pH and CMC/GE ratio were 4.0 and 0.15 g g⁻¹, respectively. At this condition, the coacervate yield was 85.35 ± 4.89% and ζ‐potential was almost zero. The SEO contained microcapsules fabricated by the GE‐CMC coacervate were also electrostatic inducted formation, and the highest encapsulation efficiency was shown to be 85.75 ± 2.89%. The rheological measurement indicated that the GE‐CMC coacervated microcapsules had a viscoelastic solid behaviour (G’ > G”) which was resulted mainly from the interactions between GE molecules and CMC chains. The improved oxidative stability and odour attenuation effect of the GE‐CMC coacervated microcapsules were believed to be attributed to the increased protection against oxidation and flavour release by providing a physical barrier after complex coacervation.