Low Hygroscopicity Research Articles

Improved physicochemical properties and in vitro digestion of walnut oil microcapsules with soy protein isolate and highly oxidized konjac glucomannan as wall materials

This study investigated the effect of the oxidation degrees of oxidized konjac glucomannan (OKGM) on the encapsulation efficiency (EE), physicochemical and in vitro digestive properties of soy protein isolate (SPI)-based microcapsules walnut oil using experimental and computational approaches. Microcapsules had the highest EE when the ratio of OKGM and SPI to oil was 2.5:1. With increasing the oxidation degree of OKGM, the EE of microcapsules was increased and the hygroscopicity was decreased. Molecular dynamics simulation results showed that SPI/oil/highly OKGM had relatively low binding energy (−4.03 × 106 kJ/mol) and strong electrostatic interactions, which may contribute to a higher EE and lower hygroscopicity of microcapsules, respectively. The oxidative stability of the oil was markedly improved by SPI and OKGM, and microcapsules prepared with SPI and highly OKGM had the highest in vitro digestion. This study provided theoretical support for broadening the application of microcapsules prepared with SPI and OKGM.

Modification on Drying Chamber Wall of Spray Dryer Towards Better Yield

Spray drying is a widely used industrial process that converts liquid or slurry feed materials into dry powder or granules and it commonly shrouded with the stickiness problem. This study was carried out by response surface methodology (RSM) to minimize fouling during the spray drying process by optimizing the condition of the drying chamber wall of the spray dryer. The concentration (%) and exposure time (min) of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) were examined as independent variables in order to modify the dryer wall. Responses including flux adhesion weight, product recovery, hygroscopicity, and moisture content of the powder were evaluated. Statistical analysis showed that experimental data were best fitted into a quadratic polynomial model with regression coefficient values greater than 0.75 for all responses. The optimum conditions in reducing fouling were discovered at PTFE concentration of 17.27% and PTFE exposure time of 6 min. These conditions would result in low flux adhesion weight (35.28 mg), high product recovery (39.38%), low hygroscopicity (6.08%) and low moisture content (7.97%). The observed outcomes aligned with the predicted values, affirming the suitability of the model in improving the flowability of the spray drying process.

Potential of trehalose and sucrose-raffinose combination instead of sucrose applied to the cytarabine/daunorubicin co-loaded lyophilized liposome: Investigation on the protective effect and mechanism of various lyoprotectants

Sucrose (300 mM) is a lyoprotectant for CPX-351 (cytarabine/daunorubicin co-loaded liposome). However, its high hygroscopicity leads to crystallization, limiting long-term storage stability. Considering this, we investigated alternative options, such as trehalose, raffinose, and mannitol, known for their lower hygroscopicity or crystallinity than sucrose. Consequently, lyophilized liposomes co-loaded with cytarabine and daunorubicin using sucrose, trehalose, a sucrose-raffinose combination, mannitol, and glucose were created and investigated, respectively. The results, which include particle size changes and drug retention rates, suggest that sucrose, trehalose, and the sucrose-raffinose combination (mass ratio 7:3) exhibit superior and similar freeze-drying protective effects. FTIR, PXRD, and DSC analyses were employed to understand the protective mechanisms and capabilities of these lyoprotectants. FTIR and PXRD results revealed the presence of hydrogen bond interactions between the lyoprotectants and phospholipids, and the interaction strength order was trehalose ≈ sucrose-raffinose combination (mass ratio 7:3) > sucrose > glucose > mannitol, with their vitrification ability corresponding to this order. DSC determinations indicated that sucrose-raffinose combination (mass ratio 7:3), sucrose, and trehalose were better at inhibiting the Tm (temperature of gel-to-liquid crystalline phase transition during dehydration) compared to glucose and mannitol. In summary, the protective capability of lyoprotectants is closely tied to their vitrification ability and their hydrogen bond interaction with phospholipids, thus preventing aggregation/fusion and reducing the Tm of liposomes during lyophilization. The sucrose-raffinose (mass ratio 7:3) combination and trehalose, with their superior lyophilization protective capability and lower hygroscopicity, offer promising replacements for sucrose in co-loaded liposome lyophilization.

Development of chitosan based microencapsulated spray dried powder of tuna fish oil: oil load impact and oxidative stability

Abstract The impact of fish oil concentration on the oxidative stability of microcapsules through the spray drying process using chitosan and maltodextrin as wall material was studied. Emulsions were prepared with different Tuna fish oil (TFO) content (TFO-10%, TFO20%, TF030% TF0-40%) while wall material concentration was kept constant. Microencapsulated powder resulting from emulsion prepared with high fish oil load have high moisture content, wettability, total oil and low encapsulation efficiency, hygroscopicity and bulk tapped density. Oxidative stability was evaluated periodically by placing microcapsules at room temperature. Microcapsules prepared with TFO-10% presented high oxidative stability in terms of peroxide value (2.94±0.04) and anisidine value (1.54±0.02) after 30 days of storage. It was concluded that optimal amounts of fish oil for microencapsulation are 10% and 20% using chitosan and maltodextrin that extended its shelf life during study period.

Accelerated Water Desorption of Oligomeric Poly(ethylene glycol) by Addition of Poly(propylene glycol) for Energy-Efficient Water Recovery Systems.

Adsorbents are used to recover water vapor from the atmosphere in desiccant air conditioning (DAC) and atmospheric water harvesting (AWH) systems. Solid adsorbents have been conventionally used in these systems, though liquid adsorbents are considered to be more effective for energy-efficient fluidic thermosystems because of their low regeneration temperatures (45-70 °C). While most previous studies have focused on improving the adsorption performance, the desorption performance of adsorbents can also be a critical factor in improving the energy efficiency of these systems. Thus, this study aimed to improve the water desorption efficiency, focusing on the liquid adsorbents. We found that mixing hydrophobic molecules into a liquid adsorbent decreases the desorption temperature and increases the water-desorption efficiency. Oligomeric poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), a common moisture-adsorbing liquid oligomer used in detergents and cosmetics, was selected as the liquid adsorbent. Oligomeric poly(propylene glycol) (PPG), which has a structure analogous to PEG and lower hygroscopicity, was selected as the hydrophobic molecule. Water adsorption and desorption experiments showed that the mixture of PPG with PEG promoted the desorption of water molecules beyond that of PEG, while thermogravimetric differential thermal analysis revealed a decrease in the water desorption temperature with increasing PPG content. The improved desorption efficiency was ascribed to the likely water adsorption equilibrium between PEG and PPG in the blend; water molecules are preferentially desorbed from PPG, which has weaker water-adsorbate interactions. The proposed concept is expected to be incorporated into various hygroscopic liquids to develop energy-efficient liquid adsorbents for DAC and AWH.

A Review of Isobutanol as a Fuel for Internal Combustion Engines

Isobutanol, one of the four isomers of butanol (C4H9OH), possesses some favorable properties that make it an attractive fuel for internal combustion engines. For instance, when compared to ethanol, isobutanol features a higher heating value and lower hygroscopicity (which prevents corrosion and enables it to be transported via pipelines). Moreover, its addition to gasoline does not distort the fuel blend’s vapor pressure to the same extent as ethanol does. All of this while having a high octane rating. Those advantages over ethanol suggest that isobutanol has the potential to be used as a gasoline oxygenate or even as a neat fuel. Furthermore, the advances made in biotechnology have enabled isobutanol to be produced from biomass more efficiently, allowing it to be used in compliance with existing renewable energy mandates. This article reviews some of the relevant literature dedicated to isobutanol as a motor fuel, covering its merits and drawbacks. Several studies on its combustion characteristics are also discussed. Most of the included literature refers to the use of isobutanol in spark-ignition (SI) engines, as its properties naturally lend themselves to such applications. However, isobutanol’s utilization in diesel engines is also addressed, along with a couple of low-temperature combustion examples.

Enhancing the interfacial strength of jute fiber/polylactic acid composites via surface carboxymethylation pretreatment and in situ growth of ZnO nanorods

ABSTRACT Jute fibers (JFs) are considered an excellent reinforcement due to their abundant resources, environmental friendliness, low cost, lightweight, high specific strength and high specific modulus. However, they still suffer from surface defects that result in poor interfacial compatibility with polymeric matrices. This paper proposes a novel strategy that combines carboxymethylation pretreatment of JFs with in situ growth of ZnO nanorods (NRs) to enhance the mechanical properties of JFs and interfacial properties of JFs/polylactic acid (PLA) composites. The results indicate that carboxymethylation is a more effective method for removing pectin from the surface of JFs compared to conventional acid/alkali treatment. Subsequently, ZnO NRs are deposited in situ on the surface of carboxymethylation-treated JFs (c-JFs) through a seed-growth process, resulting in ZnO NRs@c-JFs. The impact of diverse process parameters, namely reaction time (t), reaction temperature (T) and concentration of zinc source (C), on the morphology and size of ZnO NRs was thoroughly investigated. Optimal process conditions were determined to be t = 6 h, T = 95°C, and C = 37.5 mmol·L−1, resulting in well-aligned ZnO NRs that completely filled up the grooves on JFs’ surface. Compared to untreated JFs, the tensile strength and tensile modulus of ZnO NRs@c-JFs increased by 30.4% and 81.6%, respectively, while exhibiting lower hygroscopicity and higher thermal stability. Furthermore, JFs-reinforced PLA composites were fabricated via hot pressing and their interfacial strength was evaluated using a microdroplet debonding test. Compared to untreated JFs/PLA, the combination of carboxymethylation and ZnO growth in ZnO NRs@c-JFs/PLA resulted in a significant 334% increase in interfacial shear strength (IFSS), indicating highly improved interface bonding between JFs and PLA resin, which was primarily attributed to the formation of a ‘zipper-like’ mechanical interlocking structure between ZnO NRs and PLA. This study provides valuable guidance for enhancing the interface of natural fiber/polymer composites and highlights their potential applications.

The effects of drying methods and leucine addition on properties of propolis powder: Towards the development of a new formulation

Propolis, a valuable resin from beehives has many potential health benefits. In this study, we examine the effects of addition of L-Leucine (LL) on the properties of propolis powder produced by spray and freeze drying. Gum Arabic (GA) with LL at different ratios were used as wall materials. Adding LL increases the yield of spray dried (SD) propolis powders, while hygroscopicity, flowability and reconstitution characteristics were affected by both drying method and LL concentration. Freeze dried (FD) powders were more porous as evident by the scanning electron micrographs and showed release of >90 % of compounds within 15 min in both gastric and intestinal media. SD powders were spherical and showed a sustained release of compounds in both media. The best powders were produced with a GA to LL ratio of 8:2 dried by spray drying at 120 °C or 150 °C and by freeze drying. These three optimized formulations showed greater yields (> 50 %), lower hygroscopicity (< 10 %) and moderate antioxidant and antibacterial activities. The formulations remained stable for up to 6 months at ambient temperature, but instability was observed at 40 °C. In conclusion, leucine addition facilitates the formation of SD and FD propolis powders with good properties.

Microencapsulation of organic coffee husk polyphenols: Effects on release, bioaccessibility, and antioxidant capacity of phenolics in a simulated gastrointestinal tract

Whey protein concentrate (WPC) and maltodextrin were used to microencapsulate polyphenols extract from organic coffee husks by spray drying. The microparticles were characterized and evaluated for their influence on the release, bioaccessibility, and antioxidant capacity of polyphenols in the simulated gastrointestinal tract. WPC as a single encapsulating agent promoted better yield (54.8%) of microparticles. The microparticles showed solubility above 92%, and lower hygroscopicity when encapsulated with maltodextrin alone (7.4%). Smaller diameter (6.78 µm), better encapsulation efficiency (89.1%) and retention of compounds (74.4%) were observed in microparticles with WPC in the composition. Polyphenols were completely released from the microparticles during simulated gastric digestion. The microparticles influenced the bioaccessibility of over 70% of the polyphenols in the intestinal phase. The microparticles showed rapid gastrointestinal release effect but favored the increase of bioaccessibility and preservation of the antioxidant capacity of polyphenols, especially those from the microparticles with WPC compared to the free extract.

Influence of Soluble Fiber as a Carrier on Antioxidant and Physical Properties of Powders Produced Based on the Spray Drying of Malvae arboreae flos Aqueous Extracts.

The objective of this study was to assess the impact of inulin and pectin, wherein pectin replaced inulin with weight ranging from 2% to 8%, as wall materials on various aspects: bioactive component content, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, bioavailability, powder recovery during the drying process, and selected physical characteristics of powders derived from Malvae arboreae flos aqueous extracts obtained through spray drying. Powders containing a soluble fraction of fiber demonstrated a recovery efficiency of over 50% during drying, along with low moisture content, water activity, and hygroscopicity, coupled with high solubility. The incorporation of pectin up to 8% did not significantly alter the color profile of the powders. However, at levels of 4% to 8% pectin, concave distortions and particle morphology cracks became noticeable, along with the potential to form agglomerates (evident when the span index ranged between 5.11 and 14.51). The substitution of inulin with pectin led to higher total contents of flavonoids (from 1.31% to 49.57% before digestion, and from 18.92% to 36.48% after digestion) and anthocyanins (from 45.79% to 78.56% before digestion, and from 65.45% to 521.81% after digestion) compared to samples containing only inulin as a carrier. Bioacceptability values exceeding 100% indicated effective preservation of compounds responsible for ferric-reducing antioxidant power, as well as the inhibition of xanthine oxidase and cyclooxygenase-2 across all samples.

Quality enhancement of spray-dried pumpkin powder by mixing with mulberry leaf and oat bran powders

Abstract To solve the delamination &amp; precipitation phenomena and to improve the quality of the spray-dried pumpkin powder (PP), the effects of adding mulberry leaf powder (MLP) and oat bran powder (OBP) on the PP quality were investigated. Results showed that POBP (PP + OBP, w:w = 2:1) had lower hygroscopicity (≤42.96 %), which was more homogeneous and stickiness after being brewed, effectively alleviating delamination &amp; precipitation phenomena. Besides, PMLP (PP + MLP, w:w = 2:1) had the highest total phenolic content and total flavonoid content, with the values of 96.92 and 90.50 mg/100 g, respectively. PMLP also exhibited about ten times the antioxidant activity of PP. Furthermore, nine regression equations predicted the antioxidant properties of powders based on soluble solid values and bitterness. Overall, this study indicated that the addition of OBP and MLP improved the stability and nutritional quality of PP, respectively.

Sugarcane molasses spray drying by dehumidified air as the method to enhance powder recovery and physical properties of powders

AbstractThe aim of the study was to compare sugarcane molasses powders obtained by conventional high temperature spray drying (inlet/outlet air temperature: 180°C/80°C) and low temperature dehumidified air‐assisted spray drying (80°C/50°C) in terms of drying yield and physical properties. The addition of NUTRIOSE as a carrier was from 0% to 40% (w/w, solids). It was possible to obtain 100% high quality powders without the use of a drying carrier with high process efficiency (up to 93%—with using dehumidified air) by using both methods. Low temperature spray drying positively translated into increased drying yield, lower hygroscopicity and improved flowability of powders. Moreover, the powders obtained by low temperature method were brighter with small, less diversified particle sizes of spherical shapes.Practical ApplicationsMolasses is a by‐product of sugar production. Molasses have diverse applications as cheap food‐grade sweeteners as well as an economically feasible intermediate materials for production of some innovative food additives. Transforming sugarcane molasses from viscous, inconvenient liquid into free‐flowing powder, seems to be important by taking in consideration handling, transportation and the final application. Free‐carrier molasses powders fit well with the sustainability and clean label trends. Low‐temperature spray drying with dehumidified air is an innovation which allows to obtain higher quality powders.

Manufacturing classification system for oral solid dosage forms of traditional Chinese medicines(Ⅳ): classification of hygroscopicity behaviors of capsules

Hard capsules of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) have different degrees of hygroscopicity, which affects the stability and efficacy of drugs. In this paper, 30 kinds of commercially available TCM capsules were used as the research object. The hygroscopicity curves of capsule contents, capsule shells, and capsules were tested respectively, and the first-order kinetic equation was used for fitting. The results show that during the 24 h hygroscopicity process, the capsule shell can reduce the weight gain caused by the hygroscopicity of the contents by 0.80%-53.0% and the hygroscopicity rate of the capsule contents by 1.74%-91.3%, indicating that the capsule shell has a strong delay effect on the hygroscopicity of the contents of the TCM capsules. Seven physical parameters of the contents of 30 kinds of TCM capsules were determined, and 14 prescription process-related parameters were sorted out. A partial least squares model for predicting the hygroscopicity rate of the contents of TCM capsules(with shell) for 24 h was established. It is found that the hygroscopicity rate of the capsule shell is positively correlated with the hygroscopicity of the contents of TCM capsules(with shell), suggesting that the capsule shell with a low hygroscopicity rate is helpful for moisture prevention. In addition, the pre-treatment process route of the preparation and the type of molding raw materials affect the hygroscopicity. A larger proportion of the extract in the capsule content and a smaller proportion of the fine powder of the decoction pieces indicate stronger hygroscopicity of the capsule content. The 24 h hygroscopicity rate of 15% was used as the classification node of hygroscopicity strength, and the hygroscopicity rate constant of 0.58 was used as the classification node of hygroscopicity speed. The classification system of hygroscopicity behaviors of TCM capsules was established: the varieties with strong and fast hygroscopicity accounted for about 6.67%, while those with strong and slow hygroscopicity accounted for about 33.3%; the varieties with weak and fast hygroscopicity accounted for about 26.7%, while those with weak and slow hygroscopicity accounted for about 33.3%. The classification system is helpful to quantify and compare the hygroscopicity behavior of different TCM capsules and provides a reference for the quality improvement, moisture prevention technologies, and material research of TCM capsules.

Effect of P/Al ratio on an acid aluminum phosphate solution: Thermal evolution and hygroscopic behavior

Hygroscopicity is an obstacle to the widespread use of aluminum phosphate binders, but there is still a lack of relevant fundamental research on this topic. Here, the curing behavior, thermal evolution, phase development and hygroscopic behavior of acid aluminum phosphate (AAP) solutions with different P/Al ratios (2.50–4.00) have been systematically investigated. We comprehensively elucidate for the first time the hygroscopic mechanism of AAP and its derived aluminum phosphate, and establish a dynamic relationship between hygroscopic mechanism, moisture absorption rate, microstructure and phase composition. AAP and its derived aluminum phosphate, namely Al(H2PO4)3, AlH2P3O10, residual H3PO4, [HPO3]n and hydroxyl groups are all hygroscopic. The hygroscopic properties of AAP depend on the phase composition, which is determined by the P/Al ratio and the calcination temperature. Due to the formation of Berlinite and Al8H12(P2O7)9, the reduced formation of AlH2P3O10 and the absence of H3PO4, [HPO3]n and hydroxyl groups, the AAP solution with a P/Al< 3.00 and its derived aluminum phosphate exhibit relatively lower hygroscopicity. Meanwhile, increasing the calcination temperature can also improve the hygroscopicity resistance characteristics. This work complements the basic knowledge of AAP systems, especially those with a P/Al< 3.00. This sets the stage for the fabrication of aluminum phosphate binders and aluminum phosphate-based composites with excellent hygroscopicity resistance properties.

Fluorinated polyimide with triphenyl pyridine structure for 5G communications: Low dielectric, highly hydrophobic, and highly transparent

With the rapid development of 5G communications, the traditional interlayer dielectric material polyimide (PI) requires modification due to its intrinsically high dielectric constant (Dk), high dielectric loss (Df), and high moisture absorption, which make it difficult to meet the needs of the high-frequency communications industry. In this paper, a new strategy for the preparation of novel PI with intrinsically low Dk and Df is proposed from the perspective of molecular structure design, the modification effect of superimposing bulky triphenyl pyridine structures and strong electronegativity groups, combined with long-chain anhydride to reduce the density of the imide structure. Therefore, three bulk diamine monomers (BPAB, PBAB3F, PBAB6F) containing triphenyl pyridine structures were designed in this paper and polymerized with 4,4′-(4,4′-isopropyldiphenoxy) phthalic anhydride (BPADA) to obtain three new PIs (PI-H, PI-CF3, PI-2CF3) with different fluorine contents, focusing on the relationship between structure and properties, especially the effect of fluorine content on dielectric properties. The results of the study show that the dielectric and hygroscopic properties of PI improve with increasing fluorine content. Among them, PI-2CF3 has the best overall performance, showing low dielectric (Dk = 2.72@10 GHz & Df = 0.00233@10 GHz), high transparency (Cut-off wavelength (λ0) = 389 nm, Maximum transmittance (Tvia) = 89%) and low hygroscopicity (Water absorption (Ma) = 0.246%, Contact angle (Ca) = 111°).

Properties and Stability of Encapsulated Pomegranate Peel Extract Prepared by Co-Crystallization

Recently, there has been much interest in the phenolics of pomegranate peels because of their health-promoting effects. The incorporation of encapsulated phenolic extracts in functional foods, beverages, and dietary supplements can enhance their nutritional and health benefits. This paper aims to provide an overview of the encapsulation of pomegranate peel phenolic extract by co-crystallization, focusing on the properties of the encapsulated extract. Pomegranate peel extract encapsulated in sucrose by co-crystallization under conditions determined in our previous work is characterized by evaluating its properties—moisture content, solubility, bulk density, hygroscopicity, color, degree of encapsulation (using thermograms), crystallinity (using X-ray scattering), microstructure (with scanning electron microscopy), and storage stability in terms of total phenolic content and antioxidant activity. The co-crystallized powder had a low moisture content (0.59%) and hygroscopicity (0.011%) and a high bulk density (0.803 g/cm3) and solubility (61 s). Its total phenolic content decreased by only 0.56% after storage at 60 °C for 45 days, whereas its antioxidant activity was maintained at levels higher than 84%. The differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray scattering techniques proved the successful encapsulation in the sucrose matrix and the fact that the extract remained liquid inside the porosity of the sucrose crystals.

Bioinspired polyimide film with fire retardant and gas barrier properties by gravity‐induced deposition of montmorillonite

AbstractFlame retardants play a crucial role in improving the flame retardant properties of polymer materials. In recent years, environmental problems caused by flame retardants have attracted widespread attention. It is urgent to use green and effective methods to prepare flame retardant polymers. Bioinspired nanocomposites with layered structures seem to provide effective ideas, but in general, their hydrophilic raw materials limit their applications in certain fields. Here, we prepared biomimetic composites with a layered “brick‐and‐mortar” structure by gravity‐induced deposition using polyimide as the polymer matrix and montmorillonite (MMT) as the filler. The well‐arranged structures of the composite material could isolate oxygen and prevent combustible gases from escaping. The gas barrier performance has been greatly improved, in which the water vapor transmission rate and the oxygen transmission rate decreased by 99.18% and three orders of magnitude, respectively. The flame retardant performance has also been improved, and its limiting oxygen index can reach 67.9%. The polyimide matrix can be converted to water‐insoluble by thermal imidization of water‐soluble poly (amic acid) salt precursors, which endows the composites with low hygroscopicity. The coating containing MMT can protect against polyurethane (PU) foam from fire. During the conical calorimetric test, the coated sample self‐extinguished, and the peak heat release rate, total heat release, and total smoke production are significantly decreased by 53.39%, 40.69%, and 53.03%, respectively. Taking advantage of these properties, this work utilizes a facile method to prepare biomimetic composites with low moisture absorption, excellent gas barrier properties, and flame retardancy, which have great application potential.

Bioproducts from Passiflora cincinnata Seeds: The Brazilian Caatinga Passion Fruit

The present work aimed to obtain bioproducts from Passiflora cincinnata seeds, the Brazilian Caatinga passion fruit, as well as to determine their physical, chemical and biological properties. The seeds were pressed in a continuous press to obtain the oil, which showed an oxidative stability of 5.37 h and a fatty profile rich in linoleic acid. The defatted seeds were evaluated for the recovery of antioxidant compounds by a central rotation experimental design, varying temperature (32–74 °C), ethanol (13–97%) and solid–liquid ratio (1:10–1:60 m/v). The best operational condition (74 °C, 58% ethanol, 1:48) yielded an extract composed mainly of lignans, which showed antioxidant capacity and antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The microencapsulation of linoleic acid-rich oil through spray drying has proven to be an effective method for protecting the oil. Furthermore, the addition of the antioxidant extract to the formulation increased the oxidative stability of the product to 30% (6.97 h), compared to microencapsulated oil without the addition of the antioxidant extract (5.27 h). The microparticles also exhibited favorable technological characteristics, such as low hygroscopicity and high water solubility. Thus, it was possible to obtain three bioproducts from the Brazilian Caatinga passion fruit seeds: the oil rich in linoleic acid (an essential fatty acid), antioxidant extract from the defatted seeds and the oil microparticles added from the antioxidant extract.

Stability of Purple Corn Anthocyanin Encapsulated by Maltodextrin, and Its Combinations with Gum Arabic and Whey Protein Isolate.

Purple corn anthocyanins are important natural colourants with cheap prices and rich bioactivities. However, their stability is limited. Microencapsulation is an effective way to improve anthocyanin stability and the influence of the type of wall material on the stability of encapsulated anthocyanin is very important. In this study, maltodextrin (MD) and its combination with whey protein isolate (WPI) or gum arabic (GA) were utilised as wall materials to obtain encapsulated purple corn anthocyanins (PCAs) (MD-PCA, MD-WPI-PCA, MD-GA-PCA) using spray drying. The effect of the amount of the wall material was determined by encapsulation efficiency, anthocyanin content, and colour. On this basis, the effects of the types of wall materials on the physicochemical characteristics, storage, and digestion stabilities of encapsulated PCA, as well as their stabilities in chewing tablets, were investigated. The highest encapsulation efficiency, suitable colour, and anthocyanin content were obtained with the mass ratios 1:1 PCA to MD, 2:3 PCA to MD-GA, and 1:1 PCA to MD-WPI. Microencapsulation increased PCA storage and digestion stabilities. All three types of PCA microcapsules had low water content and hygroscopicity and good water solubility. MD-PCA had the strongest stability when stored at 25 °C; MD-GA-PCA-when stored at 40 °C, or in the presence of 5000 Lux light illumination; MD-WPI-PCA-when stored in 75% relative humidity or during gastric-intestinal digestion, but its resistance to 40 °C temperature and light illumination was lower than those for the two others. When used in chewing tablets, MD encapsulation was most stable in the presence of Ca2+, VC, or Fe2+ and improved PCA digestion stability. In conclusion, MD is a good choice for PCA encapsulation in regular conditions. MD-GA and MD-WPI can be used when considering high storage temperature (or light illumination) and high humidity (or for high digestion stability), respectively. The results of this study provide a reference for the storage and application of PCA.

Extraction and Encapsulation of Phytocompounds of Poniol Fruit via Co-Crystallization: Physicochemical Properties and Characterization.

Poniol (Flacourtia jangomas) has beneficial health effects due to its high polyphenolic and good antioxidant activity content. This study aimed to encapsulate the Poniol fruit ethanolic extract to the sucrose matrix using the co-crystallization process and analyze the physicochemical properties of the co-crystalized product. The physicochemical property characterization of the sucrose co-crystallized with the Poniol extract (CC-PE) and the recrystallized sucrose (RC) samples was carried out through analyzing the total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activity, loading capacity, entrapment yield, bulk and traped densities, hygroscopicity, solubilization time, flowability, DSC, XRD, FTIR, and SEM. The result revealed that the CC-PE product had a good entrapment yield (76.38%) and could retain the TPC (29.25 mg GAE/100 g) and antioxidant properties (65.10%) even after the co-crystallization process. Compared to the RC sample, the results also showed that the CC-PE had relatively higher flowability and bulk density, lower hygroscopicity, and solubilization time, which are desirable properties for a powder product. The SEM analysis showed that the CC-PE sample has cavities or pores in the sucrose cubic crystals, which proposed that the entrapment was better. The XRD, DSC, and FTIR analyses also showed no changes in the sucrose crystal structure, thermal properties, and functional group bonding structure, respectively. From the results, we can conclude that co-crystallization increased sucrose's functional properties, and the co-crystallized product can be used as a carrier for phytochemical compounds. The CC-PE product with improved properties can also be utilized to develop nutraceuticals, functional foods, and pharmaceuticals.