Development of Hydrophobically Modified Casein Derivative-Based Delivery System for Docosahexaenoic Acids by an Acid-Induced Gelation

Although omega-3 fatty acids including docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) contain various health-promoting effects, their poor aqueous solubility and stability make them difficult to be induced in dairy foods. The aims of this research were to manufacture casein derivative-based delivery system using acid-induced gelation method with glucono-σ-lactone and to investigate the effects of production variables, such as pH and charged amount of linoleic acid, on the physicochemical properties of delivery systems and oxidative stability of DHA during storage in model milk. Covalent modification with linoleic acid resulted in the production of casein derivatives with varying degrees of modification. As pH was reduced from 5.0 to 4.8 and the charged amount of linoleic acid was increased from 0% to 30%, an increase in particle size of casein derivative-based delivery systems was observed. The encapsulation efficiency of DHA was increased with decreased pH and increased charged amount of linoleic acid. The use of delivery system for DHA resulted in a decrease in the development of primary and secondary oxidation products. An increase in the degree of modification of casein derivatives with linoleic acid resulted in a decrease in the formation of primary and secondary oxidation products than of free DHA indicating that delivery systems could enhance the oxidative stability of DHA during storage in model milk. In conclusions, casein derivatives can be an effective delivery system for DHA and charged amount of linoleic acid played a key role determining the physicochemical characteristics of delivery system and oxidative stability of DHA.