Mohaddeseh gerami - Masters student Department of Biology, Urmiauniversity,Urmia,Iran.
Rashid Jamei - Professor,Department of Biology, Urmia university,Urmia,Iran
Neda Farnad - PhD,Department of Biology, Urmia university,Urmia, Iran

Biological activity of Red pitaya (Hylocereus polyrhizus) such as antioxidant, anticancer, and antimicrobial activities are due to high amounts of betalains. However, one of the main problems that limit the application of betalains is their instability. In this study encapsulation method has employed to provide greater stability to betalains by using gelatin- pectin matrix and freeze drying method. The encapsulation efficieny of betalin with value of ۴۷.۵۶% in geltain- pectin was achieved. The microcapsulates were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that spherical betalin microcapsules with the diameter of ۰.۴۱۳ um possessed higher antioxidant capacities than ethanolic extract.

Red pitaya,Antioxidant activity,Encapsulation,Gelatin,Pectin, Freeze drying,