A microencapsulated composition containing lipophilic compounds is prepared by reducing the particle size of the lipophilic compound in the presence of a surface active agent to form a first solution; preparing a solution of alkali metal alginate to form a second solution; combining the first and second solutions to form a third solution; adding the third solution dropwise to a fourth solution containing calcium ion, obtaining beadlets, and removing the formed beadlets from the fourth solution; rinsing the beadlets with an acidic solution and drying the beadlets; and coating the beadlets to obtain microcapsules.