Abstract: Using sodium alginate and chitosan as the wall materials, quercetin microcapsules were prepared by complex
coacervation. The structural characterization, storage stability, in vitro digestion stability and antioxidant activity of quercetin
microcapsules were studied. Quercetin was successfully entrapped in chitosan-alginate complexes as indicated by infrared
spectral (IR) analysis. The porous and loose surface of microcapsules was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed no change in crystal characteristics of quercetin in microcapsules. Microcapsules
can improve the stability of quercetin under the conditions of light, oxygen, high temperature and high relative humidity.
After simulated gastrointestinal digestion, it had stronger antioxidant activity.

Key words: quercetin, microencapsulation, storage stability, antioxidant activity