Enhanced technological and permeation properties of a microencapsulated soy isoflavones extract

Stability, Digestion, and Cellular Transport of Soy Isoflavones Nanoparticles Stabilized by Polymerized Goat Milk Whey Protein

Soy isoflavones (SIF) are bioactive compounds with low bioavailability due to their poor water solubility. In this study, we utilized polymerized goat milk whey protein (PGWP) as a carrier to encapsulate SIF with encapsulation efficiency of 89%, particle size of 135.53 nm, and zeta potential of -35.16 mV. The PGWP-SIF nanoparticles were evaluated for their stability and in vitro digestion properties, and their ability to transport SIF was assessed using a Caco-2 cell monolayer model. The nanoparticles were resistant to aggregation when subjected to pH changes (pH 2.0 to 8.0), sodium chloride addition (0-200 mM), temperature fluctuations (4 °C, 25 °C, and 37 °C), and long-term storage (4 °C, 25 °C, and 37 °C for 30 days), which was mainly attributed to the repulsion generated by steric hindrance effects. During gastric digestion, only 5.93% of encapsulated SIF was released, highlighting the nanoparticles' resistance to enzymatic digestion in the stomach. However, a significant increase in SIF release to 56.61% was observed during intestinal digestion, indicating the efficient transport of SIF into the small intestine for absorption. Cytotoxicity assessments via the MTT assay showed no adverse effects on Caco-2 cell lines after encapsulation. The PGWP-stabilized SIF nanoparticles improved the apparent permeability coefficient (Papp) of Caco-2 cells for SIF by 11.8-fold. The results indicated that using PGWP to encapsulate SIF was an effective approach for delivering SIF, while enhancing its bioavailability and transcellular transport.

Insights on Dietary Polyphenols as Agents against Metabolic Disorders: Obesity as a Target Disease

Obesity is a condition that leads to increased health problems associated with metabolic disorders. Synthetic drugs are available for obesity treatment, but some of these compounds have demonstrated considerable side effects that limit their use. Polyphenols are vital phytonutrients of plant origin that can be incorporated as functional food ingredients. This review presents recent developments in dietary polyphenols as anti-obesity agents. Evidence supporting the potential application of food-derived polyphenols as agents against obesity has been summarized. Literature evidence supports the effectiveness of plant polyphenols against obesity. The anti-obesity mechanisms of polyphenols have been explained by their potential to inhibit obesity-related digestive enzymes, modulate neurohormones/peptides involved in food intake, and their ability to improve the growth of beneficial gut microbes while inhibiting the proliferation of pathogenic ones. Metabolism of polyphenols by gut microbes produces different metabolites with enhanced biological properties. Thus, research demonstrates that dietary polyphenols can offer a novel path to developing functional foods for treating obesity. Upcoming investigations need to explore novel techniques, such as nanocarriers, to improve the content of polyphenols in foods and their delivery and bioavailability at the target sites in the body.

Supercritical Antisolvent Technique for the Production of Breathable Naringin Powder

Flavonoids are polyphenolic compounds largely present in fruits and vegetables possessing antioxidant properties, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities. Their use in clinical practice is very poor due to their low bioavailability, susceptibility to oxidation and degradation. Moreover, their slight solubility in biological fluids and a consequent low dissolution rate leads to an irregular absorption from solid dosage forms, even though, anti-inflammatory formulations could be used as support for several disease treatment, i.e. the COVID-19 syndrome. To improve flavonoid bioavailability particle size of the powder can be reduced to make it breathable and to promote the absorption in the lung tissues. Supercritical fluid based antisolvent technique has been used to produce naringin particles, with size, shape and density as well as free flowing properties able to fit inhalation needs. The dried particles are produced with the removal of the solvent at lower temperatures compared to the most used traditional micronization processes, such as spray drying. The best breathable fraction for naringin particles is obtained for particles with a d₅₀~7 µm manufactured at 35 °C-150 bar and at 60 °C-130 bar, corresponding to 32.6% and 36.7% respectively. The powder is produced using a high CO₂ molar fraction (0.99) that assure a better removal of the solvent. NuLi-1 cell line of immortalised bronchial epithelial cells adopted to evaluate powder cytotoxicity indicated after 24 h absence of toxicity at concentration of 25 µM.

Influence of the Operating Conditions on the Release of Corrosion Inhibitors from Spray-Dried Carboxymethylcellulose Microspheres

Sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC-Na) microparticles, containing corrosion inhibitor benzotriazole (BTA), were prepared using different spray drying processing parameters, with the purpose of future application in protective coatings for the delivery of corrosion inhibitors. The effects of the processing parameters, such as inlet temperature and spray flow rate, are discussed herein. The biopolymeric CMC-Na microparticles obtained were characterized morphologically by SEM and TEM, and their release profile studied by UV-Vis. The results show that the prepared microparticles (microspheres) were homogeneous, spherically shaped and of a matrix-type nature. Additionally, it was observed that the inlet temperature and spray flow rate significantly influenced the release profiles and process yields. From the different process parameters tested, it was found that the best conditions to achieve higher process yields, higher encapsulation efficiencies and better release properties, were an inlet temperature of 170 °C, a pump rate of 2.5 mL/min, and a drying air-flow rate of 440 L/h.

Development, Characterization, and Clinical Investigation of a New Topical Emulsion System Containing a Castanea sativa Spiny Burs Active Extract

The study focused on the development and characterization of an O/W emulsion for skincare containing Castanea sativa spiny burs extract (CSE) as functional agent. The emulsion was stable and had suitable physicochemical and technological properties for dermal application and CSE showed no cytotoxicity in spontaneously immortalized keratinocytes (HaCaT) at active concentrations. A single-blind, placebo-controlled, monocentric study was designed to evaluate the skin tolerability and the skin performance of the CSE-loaded emulsion on healthy human volunteers. An improvement was observed in skin biomechanical properties such as hydration, skin elasticity and a reduction in the periorbital wrinkles in 30 days without altering the skin barrier function, sebum, pH, and erythema values. A significant skin moisturizing effect was detected while the skin barrier function was preserved. The selected natural ingredient combined with the designed formulation and the optimized preparation method has led to a final product that satisfies the physico-chemical and technological requirements underlying the safety of use and the formulative stability over time. With no negative skin reactions and highly significant effects on skin elasticity, wrinkles, and moisturization, the CSE-based emulsion achieved very satisfying outcomes representing a promising functional formulation for skin care.

Study on Ajuga reptans Extract: A Natural Antioxidant in Microencapsulated Powder Form as an Active Ingredient for Nutraceutical or Pharmaceutical Purposes

The administration of natural antioxidants is considered to be a prevention strategy for chronic diseases and a useful tool for the healthcare system to reduce the administration of expensive and often not effective treatments. The chemical characterization of a methanolic extract (AJ) of Ajuga reptans L. was performed, and its antioxidant activity was evaluated. AJ and the major compounds, characterized by chromatographic techniques as phenylpropanoids and iridoids, were able to reduce the Reactive Oxygen Species levels in cancer cell lines (melanoma, A375, cervical cancer, HeLa, and alveolar adenocarcinoma, A549), stimulated by E. coli lipopolysaccharide. However, a clinical translation of these results encountered a significant limitation represented by the poor water solubility and bioavailability of the extract and compounds. Consequently, a hydro-soluble powder system (AJEP₃) was developed by spray-drying encapsulating AJ into a multi-component solid matrix that is based on L-proline and hydroxyethylcellulose as loading and coating agents, and lecithin as solubility enhancer. The technological approach led to a satisfactory process yield (71.5%), encapsulation efficiency (99.9%), and stability. The in vitro water dissolution rate of the bioactive compounds appeared to be improved with respect to the extract, suggesting higher feasibility in the manufacturing and administration; even the in vitro biological activity of the produced multi-component AJEP₃ was clearly enhanced.

Moringa oleifera—Storage Stability, In Vitro-Simulated Digestion and Cytotoxicity Assessment of Microencapsulated Extract

Moringa extract was microencapsulated for the first time by spray-drying technique using tragacanth gum (MorTG) to improve its stability under gastrointestinal and storage conditions, assessing total polyphenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity. Additionally, cytotoxicity of the microencapsulated components was evaluated after contact with Caco-2 cells. Results showed that TPC was released as follows—oral (9.7%) < gastric (35.2%) < intestinal (57.6%). In addition, the antioxidant activity in in vitro digestion reached up to 16.76 ±0.15 mg GAE g−1, which was 300% higher than the initial value. Furthermore, microencapsulated moringa extract presented a half-life up to 45 days of storage, where the noticeably change was observed at 35 °C and 52.9% relative humidity. Finally, direct treatment with 0.125 mg mL−1 MorTG on Caco-2 cells showed a slight antiproliferative effect, with a cell viability of approx. 87%. Caco-2 cells’ viability demonstrated non-cytotoxicity, supporting the safety of the proposed formulation and potential use within the food field.

Development of Chitosan/Mannitol Microparticles as Delivery System for the Oral Administration of a Spirulina Bioactive Peptide Extract

Spirulina platensis contains several compounds showing nutritional and therapeutic benefits. Recently, a series of peptides able to reduce the blood pressure level and to enhance the endothelial vasorelaxation was isolated from the hydrolyzed highly water-soluble Spirulina extract (HSE). However, HSE shows critical organoleptic characteristics also having poor intestinal permeability, limiting absorption when orally delivered. This research aims to overcome the critical issues through the encapsulation of HSE in Chitosan/Mannitol—(CM)-based microparticles by spray drying. The produced powders (CM-HSE) showed good process yield (≈70%) and encapsulation efficiency (≈100%) also having good derived flow properties as well as stability up to six months storage. The microparticles constituting the spray-dried powder resulted in an amorphous micrometric state (d₅₀ ≈ 14 µm) able to retain dark colour and unpleasant smell of raw HSE. Moreover, the in vitro permeation study by Franz cell indicated that the engineered microparticles are able to enhance the permeation of HSE through an intestinal biomimetic barrier (551.13 μg/cm² CM-HSE vs. 315.46 μg/cm² HSE at 270 min).

Design and Development of Spray-Dried Microsystems to Improve Technological and Functional Properties of Bioactive Compounds from Hazelnut Shells

An extract obtained from hazelnut shells by-products (HSE) has antioxidant and chemopreventive effects on human melanoma and cervical cancer cell lines, inducing apoptosis by caspase-3 activation. A clinical translation is limited by poor water solubility and low bioavailability. Dried plant extracts often show critical characteristics such as sticky/gummy appearance, unpleasant smell, and instability involving practical difficulties in processing for industrial use. A spray drying method has been applied to transform raw HSE in a microparticulate powder. The biopolymeric matrix was based on l-proline as loading carrier, hydroxyethylcellulose in combination with pectin as coating polymers; lecithin and ethanol were used as solubility enhancers. A Hot-Cold-Hot method was selected to prepare the liquid feed. The thus prepared powder showed good technological properties (solid-state, particle dimensions, morphology, and water dissolution rate), stability, and unchanged chemopreventive effects with respect to the unprocessed HSE.

A Water-Soluble Microencapsulated Milk Thistle Extract as Active Ingredient for Dermal Formulations

The choice of formulation is often of crucial importance in order to obtain a pharmaceutical product for the administration of poorly soluble drugs. Recently, a new water-soluble microparticulate powder form (MTE-mp) for the oral administration of a high functionality/low solubility silymarin rich milk thistle extract (MTE) has been developed. Findings showed that extract-loaded microparticles by spray-drying were produced with high and reproducible yields and encapsulation efficiency. The in vitro dissolution and permeation rates of silymarin were dramatically improved with respect to the raw material, and also enhanced the silymarin anti-inflammatory abilities. Given these successful results, the new MTE-mp delivery system has been proposed as an active ingredient for dermal applications. The aim of this research was the design and development of two topical formulations, hydrogel and emulgel (O/W emulsion), containing the MTE-mp delivery system or MTE raw extract. All the formulations were compared to each other in terms of handling and incorporation amount of the active ingredient during the productive process. Moreover, the addition to the emulgel of lecithin (L) as enhancer of permeation was tested. The MTE-mp ingredient that resulted was stable and more-easily incorporated both in hydrogel and emulgel than raw MTE extract, obtaining the best permeation profile for MTE-mp from emulgel with the addition of L. The obtained results confirm that the MTE-mp system could be used as a stable, water-soluble, and easy-handling functional ingredient, giving the opportunity to develop new strategies for MTE delivery in health products.

Anti-inflammatory flurbiprofen nasal powders for nose-to-brain delivery in Alzheimer's disease

Neuroinflammation occurs in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Thus, anti-inflammatory drugs in this asymptomatic initial phase could slow down AD progression, provided they enter the brain. Direct nose-to-brain drug transport occurs along olfactory or trigeminal nerves, bypassing the blood-brain barrier. Nasal administration may enable the drug to access the brain. Here, flurbiprofen powders for nose-to-brain drug transport in early AD-related neuroinflammation were studied. Their target product profile contemplates drug powder deposition in the nasal cavity, prompt dissolution in the mucosal fluid and attainment of saturation concentration to maximise diffusion in the tissue. Aiming to increase drug disposition into brain, poorly soluble flurbiprofen requires the construction of nasal powder microparticles actively deposited in nose for prompt drug release. Two groups of powders were formulated, composed of flurbiprofen acid or flurbiprofen sodium salt. Two spray dryer apparatuses, differing for spray and drying mechanisms, and particle collection, were applied to impact on the characteristics of the microparticulate powders. Flurbiprofen sodium nasal powders disclosed prompt dissolution and fast ex vivo transport across rabbit nasal mucosa, superior to the acid form, in particular when the powder was prepared using the Nano B-90 spray dryer at the lowest drying air temperature.

Development of Health Products from Natural Sources

BioActive Compounds (BACs) recovered from food or food by-product matrices are useful in maintaining well being, enhancing human health, and modulating immune function to prevent or to treat chronic diseases. They are also generally seen by final consumers as safe, non-toxic and environment-friendly. Despite the complex process of production, chemical characterization, and assessment of health effects, BACs must also be manufactured in stable and bioactive ingredients to be used in pharmaceutical, food and nutraceutical industry. Generally, vegetable derivatives occur as sticky raw materials with pervasive smell and displeasing flavor. Also, they show critical water solubility and dramatic stability behavior over time, involving practical difficulties for industrial use. Therefore, the development of novel functional health products from natural sources requires the design of a suitable formulation to delivery BACs at the site of action, preserve stability during processing and storage, slow down the degradation processes, mask lousy tasting or smell, and increase the bioavailability, while maintaining the BACs functionality. The present review focuses on human health benefits, BACs composition, and innovative technologies or formulation approaches of natural ingredients from some selected foods and by-products from industrial food transformations.

Application of Spray Drying Particle Engineering to a High-Functionality/Low-Solubility Milk Thistle Extract: Powders Production and Characterization

Many natural compounds having antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity are a potential target for new therapies against chronic inflammatory syndromes. The oral administration of functional herbal supplements may become a prevention strategy or therapy adjuvant for susceptible patients. A case study is our milk thistle (Silybum marianum) extract rich in silymarin complex. A water-soluble microencapsulated powder system was developed by a spray drying technique to improve the poor silymarin bioactivity after oral administration. Sodium carboxymethylcellulose (NaCMC) was employed as coating/swelling polymer matrix and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) as the surfactant (1:1:0.05 w/w/w). A H₂O/EtOH/acetone (50/15/35 v/v/v) solvent system was used as liquid feed. The microsystems were capable of improving the in vitro dissolution and permeation rates, suggesting an enhancement of bioactivity after oral administration. The microsystems protect the antioxidant activity of silymarin after harsh storage conditions period and do not affect the anti-inflammatory properties of the raw extract (efficient already at lower concentrations of 0.312 mg/mL) to reduce dendritic cells (DCs) inflammatory cytokine secretion after lipopolysaccharide administration. This approach allows managing particle size, surface properties and release of bioactive agents improving the bioactivity of a herbal supplement and is also possibly applicable to many other similar natural products.

Quality assessment of dried okara as a source of production of gluten-free flour

BACKGROUND

Okara is a by-product of soymilk and of tofu elaboration that is rich in protein, fiber and vegetable oils as a source of gluten-free flour. In order to take advantage of the nutritional characteristics of okara and to be able to determine an appropriate drying methodology, microwave, rotary dryer and freeze-drying were assessed. Furthermore, flour with an enzymatic treatment was characterized as well as its functional, physicochemical, and textural properties.

RESULTS

The results showed that the physiochemical characteristics of the flour were affected by the drying process, reaching adequate water content, and high protein and fiber content. The freeze-drying process produced clearer flours with porous structure and high water absorption capacity, and with a higher protein denaturation. Okara dried by microwave and rotary dryer exhibited a denser structure with similar functional properties and improved textural characteristics such as firmness and consistency. The microwave-produced flour was darker due to the non-enzymatic browning reactions. The enzymatic treatment employed improved the consistency of the flour.

CONCLUSION

It was possible to choose the drying process to be applied according to the feasible use of the flour, intended to preserve the favorable nutritional aspects of the okara flour. Based on the results, it can be affirmed that the physicochemical properties and attributes of okara are influenced by the drying process employed. Okara dried by freeze-drying resulted in a better product because it had a low final moisture content and the highest whiteness index. The flour presented a porous structure with high solubility, which is an indicator of potential applications in foods developments. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Development and In Vitro Evaluation of an Innovative "Dietary Flavonoid Supplement" on Osteoarthritis Process

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antidegenerative effect in osteoarthritis damage of eriocitrin alone and eriocitrin formulated as innovative "dietary flavonoid supplement." A complexation between eriocitrin and hydroxypropyl β-cyclodextrin by solubilization/freeze-drying method was performed. The complex in solution was evaluated by phase solubility studies and the optimal 1 : 2 flavanone/cyclodextrin molar ratio was selected. Hydroxypropyl β-cyclodextrin was able to complex eriocitrin as confirmed by UV-Vis absorption, DSC, and FTIR studies. The complex formed increased the eriocitrin water solubility (from 4.1 ± 0.2 g·L-1 to 11.0 ± 0.1 g·L-1) and dissolution rate (from 37.0% to 100%) in 30 min. The in vitro studies exhibit the notion that eriocitrin and its complex inhibit AGEs in a similar manner because hydroxypropyl β-cyclodextrin does not interfere with the flavanone intrinsic property. Instead, the presence of cyclodextrin improves eriocitrin antioxidant stability maintaining a high fluorescence value until 8 hours with respect to the pure materials. Moreover, hydroxypropyl β-cyclodextrin showed moderate GAGs restoration acting synergistically with the complexed compound to maintain the structural chondrocytes integrity. The results point out that ERT/HP-betaCD complex possesses technological and biological characteristics able to obtain an easily soluble nutraceutical product, which reduces the degenerative and oxidative damage which occurs in osteoarthritis, and improve the patient compliance.

Incorporation of Okara into Gluten-Free Cookies with High Quality and Nutritional Value

Soy products are a source of protein relatively inexpensive and recognized for their high nutritional value and functional properties. Okara is a byproduct from soy milk production. Gluten-free cookies have been developed using okara and commercial manioc flour. Four formulations were developed with different proportions of okara: 50%; 30%; 15%; and 0%. Physicochemical, physical properties, sensory analysis, and nutritional studies were performed. The use of inulin as partial replacement of sugar was evaluated. The incorporation of okara increased protein and fiber content. Furthermore, the hardness of cookies increased while the index of whiteness decreased. From the sensory evaluation, it could be concluded that the cookies presented a great acceptability. The cookies developed in this study have functional characteristics, providing added value to a waste product; furthermore the products were suitable for celiacs with acceptable quality and improved nutrition value.

Preparation of Spray-Dried Soy Isoflavone-Loaded Gelatin Microspheres for Enhancement of Dissolution: Formulation, Characterization and in Vitro Evaluation

The most bioactive soy isoflavones (SI), daidzein (DAI) and genistein (GEN) have poor water solubility, which reduces their bioavailability and health benefits and limits their use in industry. The goal of this study was to develop and characterize a new gelatin matrix to microencapsulate DAI and GEN from soy extract (SE) by spray drying, in order to obtain solid dispersions to overcome solubility problems and to allow controlled release. The influences of 1:2 (MP2) and 1:3 (MP3) SE/polymer ratios on the solid state, yield, morphology, encapsulation efficiency, particle size distribution, release kinetics and cumulative release were evaluated. Analyses showed integral microparticles and high drug content. MP3 and MP2 yield were 43.6% and 55.9%, respectively, with similar mean size (p > 0.05), respectively. X-ray diffraction revealed the amorphous solid state of SE. In vitro release tests showed that dissolution was drastically increased. The results indicated that SE microencapsulation might offer a good system to control SI release, as an alternative to improve bioavailability and industrial applications.