Nano-encapsulation of olive leaf phenolic compounds through WPC–pectin complexes and evaluating their release rate

Evaluation of Physicochemical and Antioxidant Properties of Yogurt Enriched by Olive Leaf Phenolics within Nanoliposomes

Olive leaf extract is a rich source of phenolic compounds and oleuropein which is well-known regarding its antioxidant and antimicrobial attributes. However, the mentioned phenolic compounds will lose their beneficial properties during storage and induce undesirable aftertaste in food products. In this study, olive leaf extract-bearing nanoliposomes were produced via the ethanol injection method and using phosphatidyl choline plus cholesterol as the reagents for the wall material. Later, the prepared nanocarriers were examined in regard to their zeta potential, stability, encapsulation efficiency, and particle size. Moreover, the prepared nanoliposome-loaded yogurt samples were examined considering syneresis, antioxidant activity, pH, acidity, color, and sensorial properties. The mean particle size of the fabricated nanoliposomes was in the range of 25-158 nm. Also, the entire formulation had a negative charge. The encapsulation efficiency was between 70.7 to 88.2%. Besides, the application of nanoliposomes in yogurt improved the antioxidant activity, and unlike the yogurt with nonencapsulated olive extract, no significant changes in color and sensorial attributes were observed and even the syneresis rate was minimized. To conclude, olive leaf phenolics can be entrapped within nanoliposomes with a considerable encapsulation efficiency for application in food products like yogurt to increase their nutritional value and public acceptance.

Influence of main emulsion components on the physicochemical and functional properties of W/O/W nano-emulsion: Effect of polyphenols, Hi-Cap, basil seed gum, soy and whey protein isolates

In this study, the effect of natural macromolecules as carrier agents on the biological activity of nano-encapsulated Bene hull polyphenols (Pistacia atlantica subsp. Mutica) through W/O/W emulsions was evaluated. The W/O microemulsions as primary emulsions and a complex of soy protein isolate and basil seed gum (SPI-BSG), whey protein isolate and basil seed gum (WPI-BSG) and also Hi-Cap 100 in the outer aqueous phase were used to produce W/O/W nano-emulsions. Z-average size of emulsions stabilized by Hi-Cap, WPI-BSG, and SPI-BSG was 318, 736.9 and 1918 nm, respectively. The encapsulation efficiency of polyphenols for powders produced by Hi-Cap, WPI-BSG, and SPI-BSG was 95.25, 90.9 and 92.88%, respectively, which was decreased to 72.47, 67.12 and 64.44% after 6 weeks storage at 30 °C. The antioxidant activity of encapsulated polyphenols at 100, 200 and 300 ppm was measured in oil by peroxide and p-anisidine values during storage and was compared to non-encapsulated extract and synthetic antioxidant. Results showed oxidative alterations in oils containing encapsulated polyphenols was lower than unencapsulated form, which among them capsules produced by SPI-BSG exhibited higher antioxidant effects due to the better gradual release. Generally, the higher antioxidant potential was achieved with increased solubility and controlled release of polyphenols through their nano-encapsulation.

Ultrasound impact on whey protein concentrate-pectin complexes and in the O/W emulsions with low oil soybean content stabilization

Consumers' preference for products with reduced levels of fat increased in the last years. Proteins and polysaccharides have an important role due to their functional and interaction properties because, when combined in ratios and pH of higher potential for electrostatic interactions they may act as emulsifiers or stabilizers. This study evaluated the ultrasound impact on the electrostatic interaction between pectin (PEC) and whey protein concentrate (WPC) at different WPC:PEC ratios (1:1 to 5:1), and its effect on the emulsification and stability of emulsions formulated with WPC:PEC blends (1:1, 4:1) at low soybean oil contents (5 to 15%). Zeta potential analysis showed greater interactions between biopolymers at pH 3.5, which was proven in FTIR spectra. Rheology and turbidimetry showed that the ultrasound reduced the suspension viscosity and the size of the biopolymer complexes. Suspensions were Newtonian, whereas the emulsions showed shear-thinning behavior with slight increase in apparent viscosity as a function of oil content, and remained stable for seven days, with small droplets (<8 μm) stabilized and entrapped in a pectin network evidenced by confocal laser microscopy. Sonication was successfully applied to emulsion stabilization, improving the functional properties of WPC:PEC blends and enabling their application as low-fat systems, providing healthier products to consumers.

Improving emulsion formation, stability and performance using mixed emulsifiers: A review

The formation, stability, and performance of oil-in-water emulsions may be improved by using combinations of two or more different emulsifiers, rather than an individual type. This article provides a review of the physicochemical basis for the ability of mixed emulsifiers to enhance emulsion properties. Initially, an overview of the most important physicochemical properties of emulsifiers is given, and then the nature of emulsifier interactions in solution and at interfaces is discussed. The impact of using mixed emulsifiers on the formation and stability of emulsions is then reviewed. Finally, the impact of using mixed emulsifiers on the functional performance of emulsifiers is given, including gastrointestinal fate, oxidative stability, antimicrobial activity, and release characteristics. This information should facilitate the selection of combinations of emulsifiers that will have improved performance in emulsion-based products.

Modeling the release of antimicrobial agents (thymol and carvacrol) from two different encapsulation materials

The release of microencapsulated natural antimicrobial (AM) agents (thymol and carvacrol) from two encapsulating matrixes [maltodextrin (MD) and soy protein (SP)] were evaluated for possible use in food packaging coatings. Microcapsules were prepared by oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions at different concentrations (10, 20% for MD and 2, 5% for SP). High encapsulation efficiency ranged from 96 to 99.95% for MD and 93.1 to 100% for SP, with average microcapsule diameters that ranged from 17 to 27.5 and 18.8 to 38 µm, respectively. The release rate with 20% MD-thymol [20MD-T] was faster than with 10% MD-thymol [10MD-T]. Similar results were obtained for carvacrol with the same concentration of MD. Korsmeyer-Peppas and Weibull mathematical models were successfully fitted to the release of the AM agents, describing the Fickian diffusion release of the components. Different release rates were obtained as a function of the chemical nature of the encapsulation material and its concentration.

Encapsulation of carotenoids extracted from halophilic Archaea in oil-in-water (O/W) micro- and nano-emulsions

Carotenoids extracted from halophilc Archaea have potential health benefits. Their poor water-solubility and low bioavailability is a challenge to their incorporation into foods. The aim of this work was the carotenoids encapsulation into two oil-in-water (O/W) dispersions, to increase their use as functional food applications. A nanoemulsion produced by high pressure homogenization and a spontaneously formed microemulsion were conceived. The limonene was the dispersed oil phase, and mixtures of Triton X-100/Tween-80 (3:1) as emulsifiers and of water/glycerol (2:1) as the continuous aqueous phase. The microemulsion monophasic area was determined through the pseudo-ternary phase diagram. Dynamic Light Scattering was used for the structural characterization of the nano- and micro-emulsions in the presence of the carotenoids. Moreover, the radical scavenging activity of the encapsulated carotenoids was examined by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance spectroscopy. The results confirmed the delivery systems design effectiveness to encapsulate and stabilize the carotenoids for food applications.

The enhancement of pistachio green hull extract functionality via nanoliposomal formulation: studying in soybean oil

Phenolic compounds of pistachio green hull extract (PGHE) were incorporated into nanoliposomes (NLs). The NLs were prepared with different concentrations of phenolic compounds of PGHE (500, 750 and 1000 ppm) and particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential and encapsulation efficiency (EE) were investigated. The antioxidant activity of free and incorporated phenolic compounds of PGHE were evaluated in soybean oil during 39 days of storage by measuring peroxide (PV), thiobarbituric acid (TBA) values and color. The total phenolic content and IC₅₀ (DPPH assay) of PGHE were 614.91 ± 0.45 mg gallic acid equivalent/g fresh weight of extract and 10 ± 0.05 μg/ml extract, respectively. The prepared NLs had 101.86-105.81 nm size and PDI = 0.202-0.235. The zeta potential value of NLs varied between -47.7 and -52.3 mV. The highest EE (32.47%) was observed for NLs containing 1000 ppm of phenolic compounds. The lowest PV and TBA values were related to free phenolic compounds at 500 mg/kg oil. In comparison with free phenolic compounds, loaded NLs had lower antioxidant activity, but encapsulation could improve the stability, gradual release and solubility of phenolic compounds in soybean oil. The color of NLs containing oil samples remained constant during the storage, but free phenolic compounds changed the oil`s color. All concentrations of free and incorporated phenolic compounds had also higher antioxidant activity than BHT. Finally, 500 ppm of phenolic compounds of PGHE in its incorporated forms could be recommended as a substitute for synthetic antioxidant in soybean oil.

Nanotechnology Approaches for Increasing Nutrient Bioavailability

Health-promoting ingredients such as phenolic compounds, vitamins, and minerals are being increasingly introduced into foods and beverages to produce "functional foods" specifically designed to improve human health, well-being, and performance. However, it is often challenging to incorporate these nutraceuticals into foods because they have poor solubility characteristics, impart undesirable flavor profiles, are chemically unstable, or have low bioavailability. This problem can often be overcome by encapsulating the bioactive components in nanoparticle-based delivery systems. The bioavailability of encapsulated bioactive agents often increases when the size of the particles containing them decreases, due to their faster digestion, ability to penetrate the mucus layer, or direct uptake by cells. Nanoparticles can be formulated to survive passage through specific regions of the gastrointestinal tract and then release their payload at a specified point, thus maximizing their potential health benefits. Nutraceutical-loaded nanoparticles can be fabricated through lipid formulations, natural nanocarriers, specialized equipment, biopolymer nanoparticles, and miscellaneous techniques. Classification into these five groups is based on the main mechanism or ingredient used to fabricate the nanoparticles. This chapter focuses on the utilization of food-grade nanoparticles for improving the performance of nutraceuticals in functional foods and beverages.

Preparation of a multiple emulsion based on pectin-whey protein complex for encapsulation of saffron extract nanodroplets

The present study illustrates a simple and practical way to produce an adequate delivery system of bioactive compounds of saffron by protein-polysaccharide complex. Frist, crocin, safranal, and picrocrocin were loaded in nanodroplets (<100nm) by using water in oil (W/O) microemulsions contain 5, and 10% aqueous saffron extract as a dispersed phase. These microemulsions were then covered with whey protein concentrate (WPC)-maltodextrin or WPC-pectin-maltodextrin through water in oil in water (W/O/W) multiple emulsions. The stability and release of loaded crocin, safranal, and picrocrocin in multiple emulsions were investigated during 22days storage. The produced multiple emulsion by WPC-pectin-maltodextrin along with 5% inner aqueous phase showed a high stability and low release of encapsulated compounds over time. This emulsion also provided a high protection of crocin, safranal, and picrocrocin in the gastric condition.

Rutin-loaded chitosan microspheres: Characterization and evaluation of the anti-inflammatory activity

Rutin was microencapsulated in a chitosan matrix using the spray-drying technique and the resulting system was investigated. High amounts of rutin were efficiently entrapped within polymeric microspheres, and these microparticles were characterized by a smooth surface and afforded a controlled release of the active compound. The anti-inflammatory activity of rutin-loaded microspheres was investigated in in vitro models of NCTC 2544 and C-28 cells treated with LPS by determining the levels of IL-1β and IL-6. The rutin-loaded microspheres showed an increase of in vitro anti-inflammatory activity with respect to the free active compound. Confocal laser scanning microscopy demonstrated that massive intracellular uptake of the chitosan microspheres took place after a few hours of incubation and that the drug was localized in the cytosol compartment of the treated cells. The improved anti-inflammatory activity of the rutin-loaded microspheres was further confirmed by an in vivo model of carrageenan-induced paw edema.