Polyelectrolyte hydrogels formed by xanthan gum and chitosan can be used for encapsulation and controlled release of food ingredients,cells,enzymes,and therapeutic agents.In this study,xanthan-chitosan microcapsules were formed by complex coacervation.The effects of initial polymer concentration and chitosan solution pH on the crosslinking density of xanthan-chitosan network were investigated by swelling studies and modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC)analysis.