Microencapsulated chañar phenolics: A potential ingredient for functional foods development

LÓPEZ-RUBIO, AMPARO; ZAMPINI, IRIS CATIANA; ISLA, MARÍA INÉS; ALBERTO, MARÍA ROSA; PÉREZ, JORGELINA; COSTAMAGNA, MILENA SOLEDAD; GÓMEZ-MASCARAQUE, LAURA G.

Journal of Functional Foods

elsevier

Año: 2017 vol. 37 p. 523 - 530

1756-4646

In this work, a Geoffroea decorticans (chañar) extract very rich in polyphenols and with antioxidant andinhibitory activity against pro-inflammatory enzymes, was microencapsulated in a zein matrix usingelectrospraying to improve its stability and facilitate its handling as food ingredient. The electrosprayedmicrocapsules were characterized in terms of morphology, encapsulation efficiency, water sorption abilityand release properties at different pH and during an in vitro digestion process. The bioactivity of theencapsulated extract in terms of inhibitory activity on enzymes related to the metabolic syndrome werealso evaluated and compared to that of the non-encapsulated ingredient. Results showed that microencapsulationdid not affect biological activity and effectively protected the bioactive polyphenols duringthe simulated digestion process. Therefore, this encapsulation structures could be considered a potentialingredient for functional food development.