Oil Emulsion Research Articles

Double protection of probiotics in alginate hydrogel through emulsification incorporated with freeze drying and coaxial wet-electrospraying: Survivability and targeted delivery

Two probiotic strains were co-encapsulated in water in oil emulsion by two methods: (1) coaxial wet electrospraying and (2) freeze-drying methods. Optimization of the wet electrospray technique for maximum yield, minimum sphericity factor, and size resulted in an alginate concentration of 2.99% w/v, flow rates ratio of alginate to the emulsion of 4.81, and applied voltage of 10 kV. The cell viability of Lactobacillus plantarum PTCC 1896 was the same after both encapsulation techniques, while the freeze-drying method was more impressive (97.25%) than the coaxial electrospraying (86.46%) in maintaining the viability of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. Lactis. Exposing electrospray-encapsulated probiotics to simulated gastrointestinal conditions for 4 h resulted in only a one logarithmic cycle decrease in the viability of both bacteria. The number of live cells remained at more than 108 CFU g−1. In contrast, the viability of freeze-dried probiotics was reduced to about 107 CFU g−1. The freeze-dried B. lactis was the most sensitive probiotic to simulated gastric conditions. Monitoring the viability of bacteria during storage at −18 °C for both wet electrospraying and freeze-drying methods showed that the number of living microorganisms was more than 6 Log CFU g−1 after 5 and 4 months, respectively.

Study of the liquid resistance effect of water-in-oil emulsions in porous media

During heavy oil recovery in the Bohai Oilfield, substantial emulsification of oil and water occurred, primarily forming water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions. This phenomenon could alter fluid dynamics within the subsurface porous media, potentially impacting well production performance. To elucidate the properties of water-in-oil emulsions and their associated liquid resistance effects, this study conducted a series of rheological tests, microscopic examinations, and injection experiments. The results show that the droplet size and distribution of water-in-oil emulsions were primarily influenced by shear rate and water content, which in turn modified emulsion viscosity. The stability of water-in-oil emulsions was reduced when they flowed through porous media. The increase in emulsion viscosity and the liquid resistance effect collectively enhanced the seepage resistance of water-in-oil emulsions flowing through porous media. Notably, when the emulsion droplet size exceeded the pore throat size, over 90% of the total seepage resistance was attributable to the liquid resistance effect. Conversely, when the majority of the emulsion droplets were smaller than the pore throat, the viscosity accounted for more than 60% of the seepage resistance. Water-in-oil emulsions flowed through cores with permeabilities ranging from 50 to 100 mD, exhibiting threshold pressure gradients between 35 and 43 MPa/m. At a core permeability of 300 mD, the threshold pressure gradient was significantly reduced to 1 MPa/m. The presence of a water-in-oil emulsion in the reservoir could result in a production pressure differential falling below the threshold pressure, thereby reducing reservoir productivity.

The radiative properties in the near-infrared band of crude oil emulsion dispersed in the seawater

The complex refractive index and radiative properties of crude oils are essential parameters for remote sensing, which is paramount for accurately and quantitatively detecting marine oil spills. In this study, the complex refractive index in the near-infrared band of crude oil from Daqing Oilfield is measured by the combined transmission - KK transformation method, and the absorption spectral features are analyzed. A modified-Mie method is employed to calculate the radiative properties of crude oil droplets immersed in an absorbing medium, and the impact of medium absorption is examined. Furthermore, the spectral absorption/scattering coefficient and scattering phase function of the oil-in-water (OW) emulsion dispersed in seawater are calculated, and the corresponding correlations between the radiative properties and chemical compositions of the crude oil are analyzed. The research reveals that the differences in the components of crude oil and seawater result in variations in the absorption peaks/troughs in their absorption spectra curve, which subsequently cause a gradual increase/decrease in absorption and scattering coefficients as the volume fraction of emulsion increases. The quantitative correlations of the absorption/scattering coefficient with the volume fraction of OW emulsion are presented, which are significant for improving the quantification monitoring of emulsified oil spills and identifying different types of pollutants.

The double-layer emulsions loaded with bitter melon (Momordica charantia L.) seed oil protect against dextran sulfate sodium-induced ulcerative colitis in mice

In this study, a whey protein isolate (WPI)-chitooligosaccharide (COS) stabilized bitter melon (Momordica charantia L.) seed oil emulsions (WC-BSOE) were prepared using the electrostatic layer-by-layer self-assembly technique, and their modulating effects on ulcerative colitis (UC) were investigated in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced UC mice model. The stability and releasing ability of WC-BSOE under simulated gastrointestinal digestion condition and their acute toxicity were also investigated. The results showed that WC-BSOE was stable to droplet aggregation in the simulated gastric and intestinal fluids and exhibited sustained release profile during gastrointestinal transit, evidenced by the measurement of particle size, polydispersity index, zeta-potential and released free fatty acids contents. Moreover, WC-BSOE had no toxic effects on BALB/c mice within the dose range of 40,000 mg/kg body weight (BW), and treatment with WC-BSOE at a dosage of 15 mg/kg BW effectively relieved DSS-induced UC symptoms in mice. Furthermore, WC-BSOE could improve the IL-4 and IgA contents in serum, as well as up-regulate the occludin and ZO-1 expressions and down-regulate MPO, MDA and ROS levels in colon tissues of colitis mice, and it also elevated the diversity and relative abundances of Firmicutes, Bacteroides, and Lactobacillus in the intestinal microbiota. These findings indicated that WC-BSOE exerted protective effects in UC through decreasing proinflammatory cytokines, increasing tight junction proteins, suppressing oxidative stress, and regulating intestinal microbiota. Collectively, this study suggested WC-BSOE might be developed as a promising dietary supplement for UC protection.

Emulsion properties and plugging performances of active crude oil enhanced by amphiphilic Janus nanosheets

Inadequate strength and stability of active crude oil emulsions stabilized by conventional surfactants always lead to a limited plugging rate of plugging agents. Thus, to address this issue, the synthesis of amphiphilic Janus nanosheets was effectively carried out for enhancing the system performances and subsequently characterized. Based on the outcomes of orthogonal tests, an assessment was conducted on the nanosheet and surfactant formulations to optimize the enhancement of emulsion properties. The experimental demonstration of the complex system has revealed its remarkable emulsifying capability, ability to decrease interfacial tension and improve rheological behavior at high temperature (80 °C) and high salinity (35,000 ppm) conditions. Involving probable mechanism of the system performance enhancement is elucidated by considering the synergistic effect between surfactants and nanosheets. Furthermore, variables including water-to-oil ratio, salinity, temperature and stirring intensity during operation, which affect the properties of prepared emulsions, were investigated in detail. The efficacy and stability of the complex system in obstructing medium and high permeability cores were demonstrated. Notably, the core with a high permeability of 913.58 mD exhibited a plugging rate of 98.55%. This study establishes the foundations of medium and high permeability reservoirs plugging with novel active crude oil plugging agents in severe environments.

PREMATURE EMULSIFICATION OF SILICONE OIL AFTER RETINAL DETACHMENT REPAIR IN THE SETTING OF HIGH-INTENSITY EXERCISE.

To describe a rare case of silicone oil emulsification that occurred only three months postoperatively. We discuss the implications for postoperative counseling. Retrospective chart review of a single patient. Thirty-nine-year-old woman who presented with a right eye macula-on retinal detachment that was repaired with scleral buckle, vitrectomy, and silicone oil tamponade. Her course was complicated by extensive silicone oil emulsification within 3 months postoperatively, most likely because of shear forces induced by her daily CrossFit exercise regimen. Typical postoperative precautions after a retinal detachment repair include no heavy lifting or strenuous activity for one week. These restrictions may need to be more stringent and long-term for patients with silicone oil to prevent early emulsification.

Quantitative signs on ultrasound biomicroscopy images associated with the status of silicone oil emulsification within the eye.

Silicone oil (SO) is a commonly used intraocular tamponade in the treatment of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). SO emulsification is a common complication after SO injection. This study aimed to investigate correlations between SO emulsification signs on ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) and the real number/size of SO droplets. An observational, cross-sectional study. Thirty-five RRD patients (19 males; 35 eyes) who underwent pars plana vitrectomy and SO injection were enrolled in the study. SO emulsification signs on UBM (endothelial deposits, floating droplets, ghost images, hyperoleon, anterior chamber angle impregnation, anterior iris surface impregnation, posterior iris surface impregnation and ciliary body impregnation) were acquired and quantified two days before SO removal, while real number/size of the SO droplets with a diameter in 0.4-20 μm in the first 2 mL washout fluid collected intraoperatively during SO removal were assessed by Coulter counter. Then the correlations between these values were explored. The grade of tissue impregnation and hyperoleon area in the anterior chamber demonstrated significant correlations with the number of large (5-20 μm) SO droplets (r = 0.336; P = 0.048 and r = 0.350; P = 0.039, respectively); however, no significant correlations were observed with the total number of droplets (0.4-20 μm)or the number of small (0.4-5 μm) droplets (both P ＞ 0.05). The UBM quantitative grade of tissue impregnation and hyperoleon area in the anterior chamber could provide a noninvasive overview of the actual degree of SO emulsification before SO removal surgery.

Modification of PVDF membranes using polyvinyl alcohol-crosslinked functionalized nano-silica sheets: High flux and antifouling properties for efficient oil-water separation

BackgroundsOily wastewater is the leading cause of water and environmental pollution, but conventional treatments suffer from complexity and low efficiency, and explicitly deal with oil-in-water emulsions. Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membranes have shown immense potential for separation applications; however, these membranes rapidly foul during the separation of oily wastewater. MethodsA simple method is introduced to improve the hydrophilicity of PVDF membranes by decorating their surfaces with acrylic acid-modified nano-silica (NS) nanoparticles, whose surface stability is achieved by crosslinking them with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). Three distinct oils were employed in this study for oil–water emulsion analysis: vegetable oil, diesel oil, and petroleum ether oil. The antifouling abilities and characterization were elucidated using advanced analytical techniques. Significant findingsThe membrane surface became hydrophilic, and the water contact angle reduced from 64 ± 1.45o to 24.3 ± 1.75o. The NS-PVA-PVDF membrane exhibited the oleophobic behavior underwater, with an underwater oil contact angle of 147.6 ± 2.65o. Under optimized conditions, the NS-PVA-PVDF membranes have shown excellent rejection efficiency for different oil-in-water emulsions, including vegetable oil (99.01± 0.64 %), diesel oil (94.61± 0.26 %), and petroleum ether oil-in-water (84.53 ± 0.85 %) emulsions. For a membrane with a 1:3 ratio of PVA to NS particles, organic foulants like humic acid and dye elucidated better performance with 94.79 ± 1.11 and 92.79 ± 1.41 % removal, respectively, along with the flux recovery ratio of 0.96 and 0.92 for humic acid and dye filtration with irreversible fouling of 0.03 and 0.08, respectively. However, the long-term analysis of the optimum membranes showed an overall stable rejection efficiency of >95 % compared with the pristine membrane. The specific rejection efficiency varied for oil emulsion (44.67–50.14 %), humic acid (59.55–67.75 %), and for dye filtration (61.52–73.5 %). These results verify the potential of the modified NS-PVA-PVDF membrane for oil–water separation for practical applications.

Preserving Postharvest Quality of Medjool Date Palm Fruits by Edible Oil Emulsions Application

Edible oils work to protect the fruit in more than one way. They act as a barrier or insulating layer that prevents moisture loss from the fruits, prevents the development of microbes on the surface, prevents chemical changes in the fruits, and prevents the deterioration of the fruits. These functions work to improve the quality of the fruits and increase the shelf life of the fruits. Medjool date palm fruits experience post-harvest difficulties such as weight loss, reduced taste, microbial contamination, and general quality degradation during storage, particularly at room temperature. Essential oils with antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant qualities, such as jasmine oil, black cumin oil, and jojoba oil, have demonstrated significant promise for improving fruit storability and quality. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of treatment with edible coating with jasmine oil, black cumin oil, and jojoba oil of Medjool date palm fruits under room storage conditions to lengthen shelf life, preserve quality, and reduce refrigeration during the seasons of 2021 and 2022. The study treatments were jasmine oil 1.5%, black cumin oil 1.5%, jojoba oil 7%, and untreated fruits as a control. Data showed that treatment with edible coating with jojoba oil reduced Medjool date palm fruit decay percentages and weight loss, delayed skin separation, and improved chemical fruit properties such as total sugar and total soluble solids (TSS%), followed by black cumin oil and then jasmine oil. The results showed that using jasmine oil, black cumin oil, or jojoba oil as a layer of essential oils provides a realistic option to enhance storability, extend shelf life, maintain quality, and reduce refrigeration in Medjool date palm fruits.

Determination of the influence of hemp oil-based emulsion systems composition on the oxidation products content during storage

The object of the study is the content of antioxidants and the induction period of accelerated oxidation under simulated conditions of the lipid component of the emulsion system. The way to solve the problem of developing compositions of oxidation-stable emulsion systems based on nutritionally valuable oils, in particular hemp oil, by adding natural physiologically active antioxidants is considered. The research is relevant in the context of finding effective storage methods and extending the shelf life of products using hemp oil. The feature of the work lies in determining the influence of the composition of emulsion systems based on hemp oil on chemical oxidation during storage. The content of stabilizers in the hemp oil emulsion system (lecithin – 0.8...1.0 %; xanthan gum – 0.0...0.1 %) is proposed, which is effective in the inhibition of oxidative spoilage. The content range of β-carotene (0.012 %) in model emulsion systems is outlined, the addition of which increases the induction period of accelerated lipid oxidation by 1.58...2.08 times. The peroxide value of the lipid component of the emulsion system during storage at different temperature conditions (0...15 °C) and during different storage periods (15...60 days) was studied. The results of the study confirm the significant influence of the composition of emulsion systems on the chemical oxidation of the lipid component, which is important for ensuring the quality and stability of food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic products. An applied aspect of the obtained scientific result is the possibility of modeling the composition of emulsion systems based on valuable hemp oil depending on the ratio of polyfunctional antioxidants of the oil component

Elucidating the Influence of Coating Materials in the Microencapsulation Process of Hempseed Oil Via Spray Drying: A Comprehensive Analysis of Physicochemical Attributes, Oxidation Stability, and Thermal Properties

In this study, it was aimed to investigate the effect of different coating materials on the microencapsulation of hempseed oil by spray drying. For this purpose, hempseed oil emulsions were prepared with skimmed milk powder (SMP), maltodextrin (MD), and whey protein concentrate (WPC). The properties of these emulsions including rheological, zeta potential, and physicochemical properties were analyzed. Then, hempseed oil microcapsules were produced using spray drying. The effect of the different coating materials on spray-dried hempseed oil capsules was evaluated in terms of microencapsulation yield, surface oil, microencapsulation efficiency, oxidation stability, and physicochemical properties. The combinations of SMP (50.58%) or WPC (56.21%) with MD significantly enhanced the microencapsulation yield. The highest microencapsulation efficiency (92.16%) was obtained in the microcapsule with SMP: MD. This microcapsule with SMP: MD also showed higher oxidative stability compared to other microcapsules. Besides, this combination (SMP: MD) effectively protected the hempseed oil against oxidation during the Schaal oven test. Additionally, spray-dried hempseed oil microcapsules were characterized using FT-IR, TGA, and SEM. It was determined that using MD as a coating material improved the thermal stability of the microcapsules. As a result, it was concluded that the SMP: MD as a coating material was suitable for the microencapsulation of hempseed oil.

Tailoring starch-lipid complexes for optimized flaxseed oil emulsion stability, antioxidation, and digestion kinetics

Whereas starch-lipid complex emulsifiers are anticipated to possess both an outstanding amphiphilicity and slowly-digesting characteristics, yet a more sustainable and cost-effective approach remains to be explored. Herein, we systematically prepared starch-lauric acid complexes (SLACs) through a solid encapsulation method under varying reaction temperatures (50–90 °C) and times (0.25–60 h). Complexing index analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and X-ray diffraction analysis revealed an enhanced degree of complexation in SLACs with prolonged reaction time, evidenced by the inward migration of free lauric acid, as further confirmed by confocal laser scanning microscopy. In vitro digestibility, contact angle, and interfacial tension measurements demonstrated that SLACs exhibited high levels of slowly digestible starch, a low digestion rate, and excellent amphiphilicity, which was particularly notable in SLACs produced at 80 °C for 6 h. Emulsions stabilized by SLACs showed a smaller droplet size, a higher oil loading rate, an increased yield stress, and an improved storage stability compared to V-type starch. Oxidation experiments indicated that SLACs enhanced the oxidative stability of flaxseed oil, with elevated initial oxidation temperatures and reduced levels of oxidative products. In a simulated gastrointestinal digestion model, SLACs-stabilized structured emulsions exhibited sustained release and lower final contents of fatty acids, suggesting superior resistance to bile acids and digestive enzymes compared to PG2000, a chemically modified food starch (i.e. OSA-starch) refined from waxy maize. Our findings provide an effective strategy for enhancing lipid antioxidation and regulating intestinal digestion.

Application of 3D fluorescence spectroscopy and a convolutional neural network for oil emulsion species identification

Increased pollution from oil emulsions may cause serious ecological damage. The development of a fast and effective emulsified oil species identification method plays a crucial role in dealing with oil spills on the sea surface. Because of this, this paper proposes an emulsified oil species category identification method based on 3D fluorescence spectroscopy and CNN. First, the 3D fluorescence spectra of emulsified oil were measured by an FLS1000 steady-state fluorescence spectrometer, and their fluorescence characteristics were analyzed in depth. Second, the 3D fluorescence spectral data of emulsified oil was extended using a conditional variational autoencoder (CVAE), and the spectral features were extracted using a pre-trained ResNet50. Finally, the spectral features extracted by ResNet50 were used as inputs to the hunter-prey optimized support vector machine (HPO-SVM), and the results show that the recognition accuracy of this method is 97 %, which is better than other classification models.

Characterization of hemp seed oil emulsion stabilized by soap nuts (Sapindus mukorossi) extract

In the past years, plant-based surfactants such as plant proteins, hydrocolloids, and extracts have intrigued scientific studies of food formulations for usage in emulsion, nanoemulsion as well as microemulsion systems, mainly due to their functional benefits and low toxicity levels. In this work, a hemp seed oil-containing (HSO) emulsion system was stabilized using soap nuts (SN), also known as Sapindus mukorossi. In order to determine the formulation requirements and the optimal emulsion composition including oil and surfactant content, a Box-Behnken experimental design was applied. The compositions were evaluated in terms of their particle size distribution, stability, visual quality, turbidity, and zeta potential. Moreover, to describe the physicochemical characteristics of the emulsions, rheological tests, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses, and refractive index parameters were also studied. The average particle size of the emulsions (particle distribution by number) was recorded between 51 and 103 nm, and z-ave parameter reached values between 227 nm and 311 nm. The zeta potential increased when the proportion of HSO increased, and reached its highest value (−23.5 mV) when HSO was 5% v/v. Microscopic investigations confirmed the polydispersity of the prepared emulsions. Furthermore, due to further applications of the emulsions i.e. packing and delivery, wetting properties were evaluated. The wetting angle values reached maximum approx. 30° with an HSO content of 1%. However, the wetting angle values were lower with increasing HSO content. Presented results revealed that Sapindus mukorossi is indeed a good stabilizer for hemp seed oil and water emulsions.

Emulsification characteristics and dehydration of shale oil emulsions under high-frequency electric field

In the face of depleting conventional oil and natural gas reserves, the exploitation of shale oil resources increasingly important. However, the high stability of shale oil emulsions presents a significant challenge to its extraction. In this paper, the differences between shale oil and conventional crude oil and the reasons for the stability of shale oil emulsions were explored. In addition, different dehydration technologies for shale oil emulsions were compared and optimum operating parameters were determined through laboratory-scale experiments. The results show that shale oil emulsions contain much smaller droplets (< 2.25 μm) compared with conventional crude oil emulsions. Further, the high wax content of shale oil allows it to form a high-strength interfacial film at the oil-water interface under the combined action of fracturing fluids and natural emulsifiers, making the emulsion highly stable. Demulsification experiments showed that the use of high-frequency alternating current (AC) pulsed electric fields is an effective method for breaking shale oil emulsions. The optimal demulsification parameters were found to be an electric field frequency of 4 kHz, a field strength of 150 kV·m-1, a residence time of 50 min, an operating temperature of 55 °C, and a demulsifier concentration of 100 ppm. Under these conditions, the dehydrated shale oil was able to meet the standards for commercial crude oil.

Microencapsulation of green tea polyphenols: Utilizing oat oil and starch-based double emulsions for improved delivery

The stability and bioavailability of green tea polyphenols, crucial for their health benefits, are compromised by environmental sensitivity, limiting their use in functional foods and supplements. This study introduces a novel water-in-oil-in-water double emulsion technique with microwave-assisted extraction, significantly enhancing the stability and bioavailability of these compounds. The primary objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of several encapsulating agents, such as gum Arabic as control and native and modified starches, in improving encapsulated substances' stability and release control. Native and modified starches were chosen for their outstanding film-forming properties, improving encapsulation efficiency and protecting bioactive compounds from oxidative degradation. The combination of maltodextrin and tapioca starch improved phenolic content retention, giving 46.25 ± 2.63 mg/g in tapioca starch microcapsules (GTTA) and 41.73 ± 3.24 mg/g in gum arabic microcapsules (GTGA). Besides the control, modified starches also had the most potent antioxidant activity, with a 45 % inhibition (inh%) in the DPPH analysis. Oat oil was utilized for its superior viscosity and nutritional profile, boosting emulsion stability and providing the integrity of the encapsulated polyphenols, as indicated by the microcapsules' narrow span index (1.30 ± 0.002). The microcapsules' thermal behavior and structural integrity were confirmed using advanced methods such as Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR). This study highlights the critical role of choosing appropriate wall materials and extraction techniques. It sets a new standard for microencapsulation applications in the food industry, paving the way for future innovations.

Interactions of different polyphenols with wheat germ albumin and globulin: Alterations in the conformation and emulsification properties of proteins

In this study, chlorogenic acid (CA), piceatannol (PIC), epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) and ferulic acid (FA) was selected to explore the influence of polyphenol on the structural properties of wheat germ albumin (WGA) and wheat germ globulin (WGG). The emulsifying properties of the emulsions prepared by WGA-EGCG complex were also evaluated. The results indicated that all polyphenols could significantly enhance the antioxidant capacity of WGA and WGG. In particular, EGCG increased the ratio of random coil in WGA and WGG, resulting in protein unfolding and shifting from an order to disorder structure. In addition, lipid oxidation and protein oxidation of the soybean oil emulsion was significantly slowed down by WGA-EGCG. The stability of the emulsions under various environmental stress and the storage time was significantly improved by WGA-EGCG. These findings can provide a reference for expanding the application of wheat germ protein in food industry.

Formulation and Physicochemical Characterization of Terpenocannabinoid-Functionalized Hemp Oil Emulsifier: Assessment of Topical Anti-Inflammatory, Antinociceptive, Wound Healing Activity and Cutaneous Toxicity Effects

Formulation and Physicochemical Characterization of Terpenocannabinoid-Functionalized Hemp Oil Emulsifier: Assessment of Topical Anti-Inflammatory, Antinociceptive, Wound Healing Activity and Cutaneous Toxicity Effects

A fully degradable flexible membrane via green synthesis for highly effective separation of oil-water emulsions

Flexible membranes have attracted extensive attention in water treatment due to their outstanding plasticity, portability, and toughness. However, conventional flexible membranes are usually made from non-degradable polymers or hazardous reagents, posing threats to the environment. In this work, a flexible silica nanofiber-regenerated cellulose composite membrane was fabricated by “no polymer solvents electrospinning” with cellulose regeneration. The membrane was fully degradable and eco-friendly, and it exhibited low oil adhesion force and recyclable oil emulsion separation performance. It achieved removal rates of almost 100 % and up to 0.1 % residual oil rate for six different types of oil emulsions with the addition of surfactant, which represents the optimal level reported in the literature to date. The presence of these extremely water-attracting functional groups on the surface of the membrane allows them to bond with water molecules, creating a stable water layer held together by hydrogen bonds. This layer can reject oil compounds during the separation process due to the inherent immiscibility between water and oil. Importantly, this membrane has excellent degradability. The regenerated cellulose layer on its surface can undergo complete microbial degradation (activated sludge) within 7 days, while the remaining substrate can be degraded continuously in concentrated hydrochloric acid, thereby facilitating complete environmentally benign disposal and providing a new strategy for developing green flexible membranes, which holds promise for addressing water scarcity and water pollution issues.

Peach Palm Fruit (Bactris gasipaes) Peel: A Source of Provitamin A Carotenoids to Develop Emulsion-Based Delivery Systems.

The peach palm fruit (Bactris gasipaes) peel is a byproduct after fruit consumption. The peel flour of two varieties (yellow and red) was separately obtained by hot air drying and was subsequently milled. The proximate analysis showed that the red variety exhibited higher protein, fat, and fiber contents than the yellow one. A higher carotenoid (836.5 ± 24.5 μg/g), phenolic compounds (83.17 ± 1.76 mg GAE/100 g), and provitamin A activity (33.10 ± 0.83 μg retinol/g) were found in the cooked red variety. The carotenoid and phenolic compositions were analyzed by HPLC-PDA-MS, finding β-carotene and γ-carotene to be major compounds. The effect of thermal treatment increased the amount of these provitamin A carotenoids and lycopene, which were detected only in the red variety. Among phenolic compounds, procyanidin dimer (isomer I), feruloyl quinic acid, and several apigenin C-hexosides were identified as major constituents of peach palm epicarp. A carotenoid-rich emulsion-based delivery system was obtained after the optimization (RSM model) of carotenoid extraction with ultraturrax and sunflower oil and further development of an ultrasound-assisted emulsion. The best conditions for a stable emulsion were 73.75% water, 25% carotenoid-rich oil extract, 1.25% emulsifiers, and 480 W of ultrasonic power for 5 min. The optimized emulsion had a total carotenoid content of 67.61 μg/g, Provitamin A activity of 3.23 ± 0.56 μg RAE/g, droplet size of 502.23 nm, polydispersity index of 0.170, and zeta potential of -32.26 mV. This emulsion was chemically and physically stable for 35 days at 30 ± 2 °C, showing potential as a food additive with biofunctional properties. The strategy here developed is an economical and environmentally friendly process that allows the reuse of the byproduct of B. gasipaes.