Additionally, a commercial
resistant starch (derived from corn starch) with trade name
Fibersol was also employed for folic acid encapsulation, as it was
also the aim to compare the performance, in terms of protection,
of a protein and a carbohydrate matrix. Specifically, a resistant
starch was used as it could provide an additional beneficial prebiotic
effect (Topping & Clifton, 2001). Both materials are dispersible
in aqueous solutions and, thus, they are very convenient for nutraceutical
applications. The encapsulation structures obtained
through the two methodologies were characterized, and a comparative
evaluation of the encapsulation efficiency and folic acid stability,
under different storage conditions, and after applying a
heating process were ascertained.