Unencapsulated Form Research Articles

Microencapsulation of peanut skin polyphenols for shelf life improvement of sunflower seeds.

Derived from industrial processing waste, peanut skins contain polyphenols that delay oxidative food spoilage. However, these compounds are susceptible to light, heat, and oxygen exposure. Microencapsulation provides a solution by offering protection from these factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of peanut skin extract microcapsules on the chemical, microbiological, and sensory property and shelf life of sunflower seeds during storage. Five roasted sunflower seed samples were prepared: control (S-C); added with butylhydroxytoluene (S-BHT); coated with carboxymethyl cellulose (S-CMC); coated with CMC and the addition of peanut skin crude extract (S-CMC-CE); coated with CMC and the addition of microcapsules (S-CMC-M20). Sensory acceptability was determined using hedonic testing. Chemical (peroxide value, conjugated dienes, hexanal and nonanal content, and fatty acid profile), microbiological, and descriptive analyses were carried out on samples stored for 45 days at room temperature. Shelf life was calculated using a simple linear regression. All samples were microbiologically fit for human consumption and accepted by consumer panelists, scoring above five points on the nine-point hedonic scale. S-CMC-M20 exhibited the lowest peroxide value (6.59meqO2/kg) and hexanal content (0.4µg/g) at the end of the storage. Estimated shelf life showed that S-MC-M20 (76.3 days) extended its duration nearly ninefold compared to S-C (8.3 days) and doubled that of S-CMC-CE (37.5 days). This indicates a superior efficacy of microencapsulated extract compared to its unencapsulated form, presenting a promising natural strategy for improving the shelf life of analogous food items. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Incorporating peanut skin extract microcapsules in coating sunflower seeds presents a promising strategy to extend the shelf life of lipid-rich foods, capitalizing on the antioxidant properties of polyphenols. This innovative approach not only enhances nutritional quality but also addresses sustainability concerns by repurposing agro-industrial byproducts, such as peanut skins. By meeting consumer demand for functional foods with added health benefits, this technique offers potential opportunities for the development of novel, value-added food products while contributing to circular economy principles and waste management efforts.

Effect of microencapsulated thyme (Thymus vulgaris) essential oil on the antimicrobial and physicochemical properties of starch food packaging

SummaryThis research endeavoured to explore the potential application of thyme essential oil (TEO) in the production of cassava starch (CS) films for active packaging. The study incorporated TEO both in its unencapsulated form and encapsulated through complex coacervation into the cassava starch film. The antimicrobial properties of the resulting films were assessed. The control films and those exhibiting antimicrobial activity were subjected to extensive physicochemical characterisation, including measurements of thickness, mechanical properties, visual analysis using atomic force microscopy (AFM), colour, luminosity, opacity, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), moisture content, solubility, and vapour transmission. The outcomes indicated that the presence of TEO, whether in its unencapsulated or encapsulated form, significantly affected the roughness of the CS films, reducing their solubility and enhancing their hydrophobicity compared to the control. It was also observed that unencapsulated TEO negatively impacted the films' integrity, whereas encapsulated TEO displayed a synergistic effect with CS films, improving their barrier properties and suggesting their potential use in food packaging applications.

Abstract 482: Advancing treatment for metastatic triple negative breast cancer: Liposomal oncolytic adenovirus as a novel neoadjuvant therapy

Abstract Introduction: Adenovirus type-5 (Ad) is considered a prominent viral vector in cancer therapy due to its modifiability for the selective lysis of cancer cells. However, challenges are posed in Ad delivery to cancers lacking coxsackievirus and adenovirus receptors (CARs). In response to this limitation, Ad-encapsulated DOTAP-folate liposomes were developed, which improved Ad delivery and heightened therapeutic efficacy through membrane fusion and folate receptor-mediated endocytosis. Methods: The 4T1 mammary carcinoma model, a CAR-negative triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell line (ER-, PR-, HER2-), resistant to adenoviral infection, was utilized for studying the comparative in vitro transduction of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-expressing Ad (Ad-GFP). The study assessed Ad-GFP with and without DOTAP-folate liposomal encapsulation at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 50. Additionally, an oncolytic adenovirus, Ad-hTERT, with a human telomerase promoter, underwent liposomal encapsulation. CAR-negative 4T1 GFP-expressing cells and CAR-positive MDA-MB-231-GFP human breast adenocarcinoma TNBC cells were transduced in vitro at MOI 100 with Ad-hTERT, both with and without DOTAP-folate liposomal encapsulation. Results: CAR-negative 4T1 cells exhibited superior Ad-GFP transduction when encapsulated in DOTAP-folate liposomes, compared to the unencapsulated form (p < 0.001). For oncolytic adenovirus Ad-hTERT, encapsulation resulted in 100% cell lysis within 24 hours in 4T1-GFP cells, contrasting with 13% with unencapsulated Ad-hTERT (P < 0.0001). In CAR-positive MDA-MB-231-GFP TNBC cells, encapsulated Ad-hTERT showed enhanced efficacy, resulting in 100% cell lysis within 24 hours compared to 75% with unencapsulated Ad-hTERT (P < 0.001). Discussion: DOTAP-folate liposomal encapsulation enhances the efficacy of oncolytic Ad-hTERT in both CAR-negative and CAR-positive TNBC cells, establishing it as an optimal therapy for tumors with CAR heterogeneity. Ongoing in vivo studies with Balb/C immune-competent mice and the 4T1 tumor model will assess the effectiveness of encapsulation through intratumoral administration. This approach may extend the recurrence-free period post-surgical tumor removal. Citation Format: Jaimin R. Shah, Tao Dong, Abraham Phung, Sarah L. Blair, Omonigho Aisagbonhi, William C. Trogler, Andrew C. Kummel. Advancing treatment for metastatic triple negative breast cancer: Liposomal oncolytic adenovirus as a novel neoadjuvant therapy [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 482.

Carvacrol nanocapsules as a new antifungal strategy: Characterization and evaluation against fungi important for grape quality and to control the synthesis of ochratoxins

Fungi are a problem for viticulture as they can lead to deterioration of grapes and mycotoxins production. Despite the widespread use of synthetic fungicides to control fungi, their impact on the agricultural ecosystem and human health demand safer and eco-friendly alternatives. This study aimed to produce, characterize and assess the antifungal activity of carvacrol loaded in nanocapsules of Eudragit® and chia mucilage as strategy for controlling Botrytis cinerea, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus carbonarius, and Aspergillus niger. Eudragit® and chia mucilage were suitable wall materials, as both favored the encapsulation of carvacrol into nanometric diameter particles. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis suggested a successful incorporation of carvacrol into both nanocapsules, which was confirmed by presenting a good encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity. Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) analyses revealed adequate thermal resistance. All fungi were sensible to carvacrol treatments and B. cinerea was the most sensitive compared to the Aspergillus species. Lower concentrations of encapsulated carvacrol than the unencapsulated form were required to inhibit fungi in the in vitro and grape assays. Additionally, lower levels of carvacrol (unencapsulated or encapsulated) were used to inhibit fungal growth and ochratoxin synthesis on undamaged grapes in comparison to those superficially damaged, highlighting the importance of management practices designed to preserve berry integrity during cultivation, storage or commercialization. When sublethal doses of carvacrol were used, the growth of A. niger and A. carbonarius was suppressed by at least 45 %, and ochratoxins were not found. The nanoencapsulation of carvacrol using Eudragit® and chia mucilage has proven to be an alternative to mitigate the problems with fungi and mycotoxins faced by the grape and wine sector.

Fabrication of double nano-emulsions loaded with hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis L.) extract stabilized with soy protein isolate alone and combined with chia seed gum in controlling the oxidative stability of canola oil

The aim of this study was to encapsulate hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis L.) extract obtained through ultrasound-assisted cold plasma pretreatment extraction within a double emulsion stabilized by soy protein isolate alone (SPI) and combined with chia seed gum (CSG) in the external aqueous phase on the stabilization of canola oil. FTIR analysis verified that there were electrostatic interactions between CSG and SPI. The SPI/CSG-stabilized emulsion demonstrated lower viscosity, smaller droplets, higher ζ-potential, and encapsulation efficiency compared to the SPI-stabilized emulsion. Non-Newtonian, pseudoplastic behaviors were shown by emulsions. Also, according to the dynamic rheological parameters (G' and G''), the SPI/CSG-stabilized emulsion had elastic behavior with weak gel properties. The antioxidant activity of the encapsulated extract at 1500 ppm during the storage in canola oil was investigated and compared to unencapsulated extract and TBHQ. The results showed that oil containing encapsulated extract had lower oxidative alterations than the unencapsulated form.

Release behavior of vitamin C nanoliposomes from starch–vitamin C active packaging films

AbstractAscorbic acid (Vitamin C) is an essential nutrient that cannot be synthesized by the human body. It is highly susceptible to degradation in presence of air, light, and moisture. Hence, encapsulation techniques are employed to provide better stability under adverse conditions. The present study used the nanoliposome technique because of its biocompatibility and controlled release efficiency. Nanoliposomes containing vitamin C (VC) were prepared by the thin‐layer dispersion technique followed by sonication at different phosphatidylcholine (PC) to stearic acid (SA) ratio, that is, 100:0, 90:10, 80:20, 70:30, 60:40, and 50:50 of PC:SA. The effect of sonication and varying ratios of wall materials on liposomes were explored. The nanoliposomes were characterized based on the particle size, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency (EE) and storage stability. The optimal VC‐loaded nanoliposomes were incorporated in starch films for studying the release profiles at different storage temperatures. The kinetics modeling was done for specific food samples (apple and beans) to simulate different pH effects. It was observed that sonication had a significant effect on the liposomal particle size. Nanoliposomes prepared without SA showed the highest EE (94.18 ± 1.5%) and storage stability. The storage study represents that VC loss was lowest in lyophilized SA‐free nanoliposomes for the analysis period. The release study showed notable differences in VC release profile for different pH conditions. A significant release was observed at 37°C and neutral pH. It was concluded that vitamin‐loaded SA‐free liposomes could effectively replace sterol‐based liposome preparation for food packaging applications.Practical applicationsThe activity of biodegradable film can be effectively modified incorporating encapsulated ascorbic acid rather than the unencapsulated form that is more susceptible to degradation. Liposomal technique was used to encapsulate the vitamin. As well, the packaging material must be examined for the possibility of nutrient release into the product. But, this release behavior is typically investigated in the presence of food simulants. On the contrary, any living system upon exposure to the active packaging will respond in a different way than the food simulant as a result of complex stimulation where several processes function simultaneously. So, this study was carried out for real food applications with the packaging of the cut fruits and vegetables being considered rather than food simulants. The goal of these methods is to increase the vitamin C content of the cut products deploying at room temperature and without the use of energy‐intensive cooling.

Review on potency of encapsulated and unencapsulated form of vitamin C produced from agricultural wastes against acute and chronic wound healing

Review on potency of encapsulated and unencapsulated form of vitamin C produced from agricultural wastes against acute and chronic wound healing

A blood parameters comprehensive study in pigs with the microencapsulated probiotic preparation Antispin with the enzyme use

The article presents the haematological and biochemical blood parameters studies data obtained during the production test of the microencapsulated probiotic preparation Enzimsporin with an enzyme (crystalline trypsin) on Genesus genetics pigs in the fattening process. Data from three groups were analyzed: experimental group (microencapsulated Enzimsporin with enzyme), control group No. 1 (commercial non-encapsulated Enzimsporin) and control group No. 2 (without adding Enzimsporin to the feed). A general blood test showed that in animals receiving microencapsulated Enzimsporin with an enzyme, the erythrocytes and haemoglobin content reaches the upper physiological limit, which is significantly higher than in the control groups. When determining the blood biochemical parameters, a significant increase in the total protein and albumin amount in experimental animals was revealed by the 148th day of life. Reliably high glucose levels, within the physiological norm, were observed in animals receiving Enzimsporin, while in animals receiving the microencapsulated drug, the glucose level was significantly higher than in those receiving its unencapsulated form. The change in the trace elements level in the experimental animals’ blood showed regularities associated with an increase in the calcium amount and a decrease in phosphorus and magnesium. At the same time, an increase in the level of AST and ALT in the animals’ blood receiving Enzimsporin with an enzyme was noted by the 148th day of life. The observed immunoglobulins reliably high level throughout the experiment in experimental animals in comparison with control indicates a high resistance and pigs immune status.

Biological and Pharmacological Characterization of Ascorbic Acid and Nicotinamide Chitosan Nanoparticles against Insulin-Resistance-Induced Cognitive Defects: A Comparative Study.

High consumption of industrialized food with high fat content is generally associated with insulin resistance, which in turn causes memory impairment and cognitive decline. Nicotinamide and ascorbic acid are among the promising neuroprotective molecules; however, an appreciable therapeutic activity necessitates the administration of a large dose of either. Therefore, the study aimed to assess if loading them in chitosan nanoparticles in doses 5–10 times lower than the unencapsulated forms would achieve comparable therapeutic results. Animals were fed a high-fat-high-fructose (HFHF) diet for 75 days. The vitamins in their conventional form (100 mg/kg) and the nanoparticles under investigation (10 and 20 mg/kg) were given orally concomitantly with the diet in the last 15 days. The intake of HFHF diet for 75 days led to an insulin-resistant state, with memory impairment, which was verified behaviorally through the object recognition test. This was accompanied by significant reduction in brain insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), increased acetylcholine esterase activity, increase in the serotonin and dopamine turnover ratio, and increase in oxidative stress and 8-OHdG, indicating cellular DNA fragmentation. Cellular energy was also decreased, and immunohistochemical examination verified the high immunoreactivity in both the cortex and hippocampus of the brain. The administration of nanoparticulated nicotinamide or ascorbic acid with a 10 times lesser dose than the unencapsulated forms managed to reverse all aforementioned harmful effects, with an even lesser immunoreactivity score than the unencapsulated form. Therefore, it can be concluded that nicotinamide or ascorbic acid chitosan nanoparticles can be recommended as daily supplements for neuroprotection in patients suffering from insulin resistance after conduction of clinical investigations.

Safety and properties of Enzymesporine microencapsulated probiotic product with enzyme and its effect on the physiology of intestinal digestion and weight gain of pigs

The efficiency of the probiotic product Enzymesporine manufactured by Fermlab LLC was increased by the creation of its microencapsulated form with 5% crystalline trypsin, which surpassed its analogues in biological properties. In the microencapsulated probiotic product (MPP), the viability of the microorganisms was maintained at the level of the initial product by using 40% acetone as a precipitant. During in vitro experiments simulating gastric digestion, microcapsules were not destroyed for 120 minutes, which indicated their resistance to the acidic medium of the stomach and the possibility of passing it without loss of viability of the probiotic microflora. Tests in laboratory animals showed that the product did not have mutagenic activity and toxicity. During the use of this product from 48 days of life, reliable results were achieved in the increase of live weight and average daily gain in pigs of Genesus genetics at 98 and 148 days of life. By means of a qualitative caprological analysis, it was found that the product enhances the digesting ability in the intestines of pigs more intensively than its unencapsulated form without a proteolytic enzyme. It is recommended to use this product as a biologically active additive in the diet when feeding pigs of large industrial pig breeding.

Fabrication of volatile compounds loaded-chitosan biopolymer nanoparticles: Optimization, characterization and assessment against Aspergillus flavus and aflatoxin B1 contamination

The study demonstrates the use of chitosan as a carrier agent of designed antifungal formulation (CME 4:1:1) based on a combination of plant compounds such as trans- cinnamaldehyde (C), methyl eugenol (M), and estragole (E). The formulation was encapsulated inside the chitosan biopolymer nanomatrix (Ne-CME) and characterized by SEM, FTIR, and XRD. The Ne-CME exhibited enhanced antifungal and aflatoxin B1 inhibitory effect compared to the individual compounds and unencapsulated form. Ne-CME (0.04 μl/ml) caused significant protection of Piper longum fruit from fungal (90.05%) and aflatoxin B1 (100%) contamination and had no significant negative effects on its nutritional properties. In addition, the probable antifungal mechanism of Ne-CME was investigated using in-silico (effect on Omt-1 and Vbs structural genes of AFB1 biosynthesis) and biochemical (perturbances in the cell membrane, carbohydrate catabolism, methyl-glyoxal, mitochondrial membrane potential, and antioxidant defense system) assay.

Efficacy of Microencapsulated Carvacrol in Oxidative Stability of Sunflower Oil

AbstractThe objective of this study is to improve the oxidative stability of sunflower oil using encapsulated carvacrol during 25 times repeated frying experiments. Microencapsulated carvacrol powders are produced by spray drying using binary and ternary blends of gum arabic (GA), maltodextrin (MD), and corn starch as encapsulating agents. In most cases, the encapsulation efficiency decreases as the amount of GA decreases in the wall mixture. Microencapsulated carvacrol powders prepared with GA (100%), GA + MD (75:25), and GA + MD + starch (67.5: 22.5: 10), which are found to have higher encapsulation efficiency values, are used as antioxidants in dough frying experiments. Frying experiments are performed with the addition of encapsulated and/or unencapsulated forms of carvacrol into the sunflower oil or dough. Encapsulated carvacrol is found to be more effective than unencapsulated carvacrol and butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) in repeated frying experiments. The addition of carvacrol into oil provides better protection compared to addition into dough. Protective effects of encapsulated and unencapsulated forms of carvacrol in frying trials are successfully discriminated by applying principal component analysis.Practical Application: Carvacrol and thymol are the major constituents of thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) essential oil. These compounds are responsible for the main bioactive properties of thyme oil. Therefore, in this study, pure commercial carvacrol was encapsulated and tested for its protective effect in sunflower oil during repeated dough frying. The effectiveness of the carvacrol in encapsulated form may be a consequence of the prevention of volatilization. The results of this study are remarkable for food applications requiring high temperatures.

Packaging films formulated with gelatin and anthocyanins nanocomplexes: Physical properties, antioxidant activity and its application for olive oil protection

Anthocyanins (ACNs) nanocomplexes fabricated using chitosan hydrochloride (CHC) and carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC) were incorporated into gelatin film as a base formulation for the preparation of packaging films. The effects of ACNs-loaded CHC/CMC nanocomplexes on the film were investigated, with attention to the physical, antioxidant, and morphological properties of the resultant films. The results showed that the addition of ACNs-loaded CHC/CMC nanocomplexes improved the mechanical properties, thermal stability and antioxidant capacity of the films, whereas decreased the visible light transmission. Raman spectra analyses verified the interactions existed between gelatin and ACNs-loaded CHC/CMC nanocomplexes. Furthermore, the film composed of gelatin and ACN-loaded CHC/CMC nanocomplexes (Gel-CHC/CMC-ACN film) significantly delayed olive oil oxidative deterioration (21.2 meq O2/kg of peroxide value at the 56th day) when compared with the films composed of gelatin only (Gel film, 28.4 meq O2/kg of peroxide value at the 56th day) or ACN (unencapsulated form) and gelatin (Gel-ACNs film, 24.3 meq O2/kg of peroxide value at the 56th day).This study revealed that a gelatin film with incorporated ACNs nanocomplexes can be used as a functional food packaging to protect foods with high fat content from oxidation.

Determining the effects of encapsulated polyphosphates on quality parameters and oxidative stability of cooked ground beef during storage

Abstract Effects of encapsulated (e) sodium tripolyphosphate (STP), sodium pyrophosphate (SPP) and various combinations of encapsulated and un-encapsulated (u) forms of these polyphosphates on lipid oxidation in the cooked ground beef during storage (0, 1, 7 d at 4 0C) were determined. pH, color, cooking loss (CL), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), lipid hydroperoxide (LPO) and soluble orthophosphate (OP) analysis were conducted. Study results indicated that STP increased pH, whereas SPP decreased pH compared to control (p<0.05). SPP was determined as the most effective polyphosphate type to inhibit lipid oxidation (p<0.05). In addition, the use of eSPP significantly reduced OP content compared to uSPP (p<0.05). The lowest TBARS and LPO formation were determined in the groups produced with only eSPP or its combinations with uSPP or uSTP or eSTP (p<0.05). Since the group containing a combination of 0.25% eSTP and 0.25% eSPP was found to have lower CL than the other groups produced with only eSPP or its combinations with uSPP or uSTP, this group was suggested as the most appropriate group which can be used in ready to eat meat product processing by the meat industry.

Improvement of bioavailability for resveratrol through encapsulation in zein using electrospraying technique

Abstract Resveratrol has proven antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective effects. However, poor water solubility, low bioavailability and UV light sensitivity hinder its usage in food applications. Encapsulation of resveratrol can help to overcome these problems. In this work, encapsulation by electrospraying was adopted, owing to the possibility of obtaining spherical and nano-sized particles at room temperature. This study proved that resveratrol can be efficiently encapsulated with zein without modifying its native form. Size of nanoencapsulated particles obtained ranged from 230 to 330 nm. Nanoencapsulation through electrospraying process yielded 68.49% encapsulation efficiency at 1:50 resveratrol to zein w/w%. Further, nanoencapsulated resveratrol showed better stability and sustained release profiles as compared to the unencapsulated form. Nanoencapsulation with zein protected resveratrol in simulated stomach conditions and released resveratrol in the intestinal condition. Additionally, nanoencapsulated resveratrol showed increased permeability of 1.15 fold in ex-vivo dynamic engineered small intestinal system which in turn relates to improved bioavailability. Prepared nanoparticles can be used for oral administration by incorporation into food products or in tablet form.

Combination of internal structuring and external coating in an oleogel-based delivery system for fish oil stabilization.

In this study, we created oleogel-based formulations featuring varying degrees of beeswax for internal structure and whey protein isolate (WPI) as external coating to improve the oxidative stability of fish oil. Oleogel was characterized by rheological analysis to access gelation behavior, and morphology was visualized using electron microscopy. It was found that the WPI-coated oleogel displayed strong physical stability during storage. The oxidative assay demonstrated that WPI-coated oleogel had the best protection against fish oil oxidation under both thermal treatment and ultraviolet-C radiation. The oxidation of fish oil was inhibited by 2-3 fold, compared to its unencapsulated form. This stability was attributed to the modulation of beeswax and WPI on the micropolarity and microviscosity of the formulation, as evidenced by pyrene fluorescence measurement. Our approach combining internal structuring and external coating may contribute to the development of oleogel system for efficient delivery of lipophilic bioactive components.

Development and characterization of a novel cationic PEGylated niosome-encapsulated forms of doxorubicin, quercetin and siRNA for the treatment of cancer by using combination therapy

The aim of this study was to optimize the cationic PEGylated niosome-containing anti-cancer drugs and siRNA to enhance the therapeutic response. Therefore, various surfactant-based (tween-60) vesicles of doxorubicin (DOX; a chemotherapeutic drug) and quercetin (QC; a chemosensitizer) were prepared. To load siRNA on niosomes, 1, 2-dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium-propane (DOTAP) was used as a cationic lipid. The optimum formulation containing tween-60:cholesterol:DPPC:DOTAP:DSPE-PEG2000 at 49.5:5.5:15:25:5 demonstrated that the vesicle size and zeta potential were 52.8 ± 2.7 nm and +27.4 ± 2.3 mV, respectively. Entrapment efficiency (EE%) for DOX and QC was 86.4 ± 2.1% and 94.9 ± 3.9%, respectively. Moreover, the drug release during 6 h was 32.1 ± 1.6% and 30.5 ± 1.3% for DOX and QC, respectively denoted on the controlled release. The gel retardation assay demonstrated that siRNA could be successfully loaded into a cationic niosome:siRNA in a weight ratio 40:1. Additionally, noisome-encapsulated drugs had a higher toxicity against cancer cells when compared with un-encapsulated forms and the synergistic effects of co-delivery of siRNA and DOX with QC on gastric, prostate, breast cancer cells as well as human foreskin fibroblast as a normal cell line was shown. The results showed that the co-delivery of drugs and siRNA using cationic PEGylated niosomes exhibited an increased anti-cancer activity against the tumor cell death. It seems that cationic PEGylated niosomes have opened up a new avenue to enrich the armamentarium of therapeutic agents to fight cancer.

Influence of main emulsion components on the physicochemical and functional properties of W/O/W nano-emulsion: Effect of polyphenols, Hi-Cap, basil seed gum, soy and whey protein isolates

In this study, the effect of natural macromolecules as carrier agents on the biological activity of nano-encapsulated Bene hull polyphenols (Pistacia atlantica subsp. Mutica) through W/O/W emulsions was evaluated. The W/O microemulsions as primary emulsions and a complex of soy protein isolate and basil seed gum (SPI-BSG), whey protein isolate and basil seed gum (WPI-BSG) and also Hi-Cap 100 in the outer aqueous phase were used to produce W/O/W nano-emulsions. Z-average size of emulsions stabilized by Hi-Cap, WPI-BSG, and SPI-BSG was 318, 736.9 and 1918 nm, respectively. The encapsulation efficiency of polyphenols for powders produced by Hi-Cap, WPI-BSG, and SPI-BSG was 95.25, 90.9 and 92.88%, respectively, which was decreased to 72.47, 67.12 and 64.44% after 6 weeks storage at 30 °C. The antioxidant activity of encapsulated polyphenols at 100, 200 and 300 ppm was measured in oil by peroxide and p-anisidine values during storage and was compared to non-encapsulated extract and synthetic antioxidant. Results showed oxidative alterations in oils containing encapsulated polyphenols was lower than unencapsulated form, which among them capsules produced by SPI-BSG exhibited higher antioxidant effects due to the better gradual release. Generally, the higher antioxidant potential was achieved with increased solubility and controlled release of polyphenols through their nano-encapsulation.

Formation and stability of anthocyanins-loaded nanocomplexes prepared with chitosan hydrochloride and carboxymethyl chitosan

Anthocyanins as food additives have attracted increasing interest from the food industries, due to its potential health-related functionalities. However, it is low stability to limit its applications in foods. In this work, nanocomplexes of chitosan hydrochloride (CHC), carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC) and anthocyanins (ACNs) were fabricated through electrostatic interaction to improve the stability of ACNs. At the optimal ratio of 1.2 g CHC to 1.0 g CMC (w/w, 8 mg of ACNs), the ACNs-loaded CHC/CMC nanocomplexes showed high encapsulation efficiency (44.0%) with a preferred particle size (178.1 nm), good stability (+25.6 mV) and acceptable polydispersity index (PDI, 0.315). The content and encapsulation efficiency of individual anthocyanin were estimated by UPLC analysis. The cross-linking interactions between the chitosan derivatives (CHC/CMC) and anthocyanins were confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopy. Furthermore, the spherical structure of ACNs-loaded CHC/CMC nanocomplexes was verified by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analyses showed that onset temperature and gelatinization enthalpy of ACNs-loaded CHC/CMC nanocomplexes increased with the introduction of ACNs into the chitosan derivatives. Compared with the ACNs aqueous solution (unencapsulated form), the ACNs-loaded CHC/CMC nanocomplexes (encapsulated form) showed a higher stability when placed in different conventional storage temperature, various l-ascorbic acid (AA) concentration, varying pH or white fluorescent light. The results indicate that these nanocomplexes represent potential food ingredients associated with stable anthocyanins, which exhibits great potential for functional foods and nutraceutical applications.

Functional assessment of encapsulated citral for controlling necrotic enteritis in broiler chickens

Development of viable alternatives to antibiotics to control necrotic enteritis (NE) caused by Clostridium perfringensis becoming urgent for chicken production due to pessures on poultry producers to limit or stop the use of antibiotics in feed. We have previously identified citral as a potential alternative to antibiotics. Citral has strong antimicrobial activity and can be encasupsulated in a powder form for protection from loss during feed processing, storage, and intestinal delivery. In the present study, encapsulated citral was evaluated both in vitro and in vivo for its antimicrobial activity against C. perfringens Encapsulation did not adversely affect the antimicrobial activity of citral. In addition, encapsulated citral was superior to the unencapsulated form in retaining its antimicrobial activity after treatment with simulated gastrointestinal fluids and in the presence of chicken intestinal digesta. In addition, the higher antimicrobial activity of encapsulated citral was confirmed in digesta samples from broilers that had been gavaged with encapsulated or unencapsulated citral. In broilers infected with C. perfringens, the diets supplemented with encapsualted citral at both 250 and 650 μg/g significantly reduced intestinal NE lesions, which was comparable to the effect of bacitracin- and salinomycin-containing diets. However, supplementation with the encapsulated citral appeared to have no significant impact on the intestinal burden of Lactobacillus These data indicate that citral can be used to control NE in chickens after proper protection by encapsulation.