In order to further increase the stability of the encapsulated menhaden fish oil, a part of the formed capsules were coated with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), a compound shown to form an efficient barrier against oxygen. Wet microcapsules (100 g) were suspended in a 2% (w/w) solution of HPMC in water. The suspension was then spray-dried with Niro Mobile Minor lab scale spray dryer. A 250 lm spraying nozzle was used, atomizing and differential pres- sures were 0.15 MPa and 0.02 MPa, respectively. Inlet and outlet temperatures were 150 ± 2 °C and 60 ± 2 °C, respectively. The sus- pension was pumped into the sprayer at a rate of 25 g/min using a W&M 505U peristaltic pump (Watson-Marlow, Falmouth, UK). The powder thus obtained was enclosed in vacuum bags and stored at 80 °C until analyzed.