Palm oil was encapsulated in chitosan/xanthan and chitosan/pectin by complex coacervation.
Lyophilization provided higher yield and lower carotenoid losses during encapsulation.
Lyophilization provided higher encapsulation efficiency and the best release profile.
Chitosan/pectin microparticles showed the best release of carotenoids in GFS.
Chitosan/xanthan microparticles showed the best release profile of carotenoids in the yoghurt.