METHOD FOR PRODUCING MICROCAPSULE USING SOLID FAT

摘要

It is intended to provide a production method capable of industrially efficiently producing a fine microcapsule having a high content of a hydrophilic bioactive substance encapsulated therein and applicable to wide use such as foods and pharmaceuticals. A method for producing an S/O type microcapsule comprising the steps of: (1) emulsifying and dispersing a mixture of a solid fat and an aqueous solution containing a hydrophilic bioactive substance at a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of the solid fat thereby obtaining a W/O emulsion; (2) removing water in the W/O emulsion at a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point and lower than the boiling point of the solid fat thereby obtaining an S/O suspension; (3) adding the S/O suspension to an aqueous phase containing at least one member selected from a surfactant (B), a thickening agent, and a hydrophilic organic solvent to disperse liquid droplets at a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point and lower than the boiling point of the solid fat thereby obtaining an S/O/W emulsion; and (4) cooling the S/O/W emulsion to a temperature lower than the melting point of the solid fat to solidify the solid fat, and further removing water at a temperature lower than the melting point of the solid fat.