The process of obtaining alginate microspheres (AMs) by emulsification method was optimized by applying statistical analysis software. Ten batches of microspheres were prepared using the fractional plan 3 ^(K-p). AMs were obtained with two different methods: an ultrasonic homogenization (UH) process and a rotor-stator mechanical homogenization (MH). The amount of a cross-linking agent (CaCl ₂), calcium chloride rate addition, and the sonication amplitude (UH) or the speed of rotor rotation (MH) were selected as formulation variables. All the batches were evaluated in terms of stability and size of the alginate microspheres. Approximation profiles were developed. As a result of the conducted research, stable alginate microspheres with sizes ranging from 10 to 30 micrometres were obtained. The obtained results showed that the quality of AMs was mainly affected by the concentration and the rate of calcium chloride addition into the system. Therefore, the role of calcium ions in the mechanisms of shell structuring was discussed. Lactobacillus casei bacteria were encapsulated into the batches found to be optimum. The high encapsulation efficiency (EE) of the bacteria (72-94%) depending on the form) and their viability over time were obtained. The model developed in the study can be effectively utilized to achieve the AMs formulations.

Conventional membranes used in the process of premix membrane emulsification are prone to fouling, especially when biopolymers are employed as surfactants. An alternative to conventional membranes are dynamic membranes consisting of an unconsolidated porous medium. Dynamic membranes have the advantage of enabling easy cleaning of the inside of the pores. Experimental research carried out to date has focused on the application of hydrophilic dynamic membranes composed of glass microbeads for producing o/w emulsions. The aims of this study were to determine the efficiency of droplet size reduction in a w/o emulsion when passed through a dynamic hydrophobic membrane consisting of a bed of irregular polymer particles, and to assess the effect of multiple membrane passes on the properties of the w/o emulsion. The dynamic membranes evaluated in the tests were found to reduce the diameters of premix droplets when an appropriate pressure level was reached. Higher bed porosity was associated with greater fluxes achieved across the packed bed, but the resulting emulsions were less homogeneous. Multiple passes of the emulsion through the dynamic polypropylene membrane led to a further reduction in droplet size, but it was accompanied by a decline in emulsion homogeneity.

A mathematical model, created for description of the mechanism of interaction between basic parameters of high pressure dispersion of emulsions, is presented in this paper. The model is applied for the analysis of the influence of physical properties of emulsions, quantitative content of dispersed emulsion phase and parameters of emulsification, pressure and temperature, on the characteristic dimension of particles of the dispersed phase. The model makes it possible to determine appropriate process parameters, especially the pressure necessary to obtain the required dispersion of the emulsion and to define construction and exploitation parameters of high-pressure emulsification valve.