Encapsulation of yerba mate antioxidant extract in cross-linked poly(vinyl alcohol) nanofibers by electrospinning

SILVIA GOYANES; ALEX LOPEZ CORDOBA; JOSE LAGARÓN CABELLO

Valencia

Congreso; Nanotec2016; 2016

IATA-CSIC

The extract of yerba mate (YM, it is a plant highly consumed as infusion in several South American countries) is considered an important source of polyphenol compounds with high antioxidant activity, which have claimed several beneficial effects for human health. However, few strategies to stabilize the extract of YM have been reported, thus their applications are still limited. Electrospinning constitute a simple and straightforward way to encapsulate bioactive compounds (e.g. antioxidants and antimicrobial agents) within submicron nanofibers [1]. This process is advantageous because allows the control of fiber morphology, diameter and even porosity. In the present work, electrospun PVA mats containing extract of YM were developed. PVA was chosen as encapsulating agent taking into account that it is biodegradable and nontoxic. However, due to its high water solubility, the heat-induced crosslinking of PVA with citric acid is here presented as a useful way to increase the water stability of the systems.