Polyphenol Encapsulates from the Waste Biomass of C. sinensis and Their Simulated Oral, Gastric, and Intestinal Stability Studies: Nutraceutical Application

Abstract

Extraction of bioactive metabolites from waste biomass is a recent area of research; hence purification and HPLC-DAD-based quantification of polyphenols from neglected parts (fruit, flower, and coarse leaves) of Camellia sinensis were carried out. Purification of polyphenols was performed via fractionation process, and purity was attained up to 77%, while the quantified content of catechins attained up to 63.3% with excellent free radical inhibition (78.89–97.20%). Aiming the controlled release of polyphenols with improved shelf life, microencapsulates were prepared by spray-drying and freeze-drying processes. Maltodextrin and soy lecithin were used as two different wall materials, and maximum encapsulation efficiency was attained up to 69.05%. Furthermore, in vitro simulated studies presented maximum release (>50%) of catechins in the gastric phase followed by intestine and oral phases. Stability studies of free and microencapsulated polyphenols were performed with respect to quantified content of catechins and free radical scavenging activity. The findings resulted in a significant effect of microencapsulation on the release profile and stability of catechins as well as retention of antioxidant activity. Hence, this study suggests a new perspective for the utilization of bioactive microencapsulates from waste tea plant biomass to develop value-added products.