Dried and grounded chicory root were used as the starting material. The prepared sample, with an approximately 5 % moisture content, was stored in a dry container for further use. Batch extraction was performed at 700C with continuous stirring. Distilled water and alcoholic solutions were tested as solvent for inulin extraction. The liquid inulin solutions obtained at the end of each experiment were filtered through a cloth to remove large root pieces and then through a paper filter to remove smaller particles. Two methods were used for primary extract purification and concentration. In the first one suspended fine particles were removed by filtration through silicagel – chitosan bed. In the other, most of the acid components, pigments, and dyes were removed from the primary extracts by ion-exchange, yielding a colorless material. In both cases, the efluent was concentrated by evaporation and used for encapsulation experiments.
Agar, purchased from Sigma-Aldrich was used in concentrated inulin solution as encapsulation material. Agar-inulin solution was dropwise added, under continuous stirring, to an oil phase in order to obtain solid particles of spherical shape, which diameter depends on stirring rate. Inulin release from microparticles was studied in batch condition. The resultant agar particles have a particle size ranging between 400-800 μm. Their diameters were measured using an Olympus microscope BX 51 (Olympus).