Cactus betalains were encapsulated by ionic gelation with calcium alginate.
Betalain beads were characterized by microscopy, thermogravimetry and calorimetry.
Pigment composition of beads was analyzed after storage by HPLC–MS–MS.
Storage stability of encapsulates was higher than control at low relative humidity.
Encapsulated betalains and control had low stability stored at high relative humidity.