Aerogels from Native and Anionic Corn Starches Loaded with Pinhão (Araucaria angustifolia) Coat Extract: Anti‐Tumor Activity in C6 Rat Glioma Cells and In Vitro Digestibility

Abstract

AbstractThis study aims to produce aerogels with pinhão (Araucaria angustifolia) coat extract using native and anionic starches as carrier matrix and evaluate its effect on cell viability, in vitro cytotoxicity, and in vitro digestibility using C6 rat glioma cells. The aerogels are prepared by the gelatinization of starch and several freeze/thaw cycles. The pinhão coat extract (PCE) is incorporated into the aerogels in concentrations of 5 and 10% (w/w) and evaluated for morphology. Glioma (C6) cells are exposed to free PCE at concentrations of 25, 50, 100, 200, and 300 µg mL−1 and the aerogels at 300, 700, 1000, and 2000 µg mL−1 for 48 h and 72 h. Phenolic compounds are quantified during in vitro digestion simulation. The free PCE demonstrated a significant (p < 0.05). anti‐tumor effect at the tested concentrations and time treatments. The aerogels containing 10% PCE reduce cell viability at the highest concentrations (2000 µg mL−1) in 48 and 72 h. The aerogels release 37–96% of phenolic compounds during in vitro digestion. The native and anionic starch aerogels are a highly efficient matrix with potential application as phenolic compound carriers with anti‐tumor activity.