Synergistic effects of DHA and choline delivered via co-encapsulated microcapsules in infant formula Rice cereal: Enhanced cognitive function and molecular mechanisms in mice.

The development of the infant brain relies on key nutrients such as choline and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). However, their distinct physicochemical properties pose a challenge, as single supplementation typically results in poor stability and low bioavailability. In this study, DHA and choline were co-encapsulated using microencapsulation technology, resulting in stable microcapsules with an average particle size of approximately 590 nm and a DHA encapsulation efficiency of 85.2 %. Thermogravimetric analysis and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy further confirmed that DHA and choline were successfully encapsulated by the wall materials, thereby enhancing the thermal stability and structural integrity of the microcapsules. In addition, the content of fishy-flavor volatiles in the microcapsules was significantly lower than that in commercial DHA algal oil powder, making them more suitable for use in infant formula cereals. Animal experiments demonstrated that the DHA-choline microcapsules significantly improved the recognition index in the novel object recognition test and reduced escape latency in the Morris water maze, indicating enhanced learning and memory.