Ultrasound-assisted extraction and encapsulation of betalain from prickly pear: Process optimization, in-vitro digestive stability, and development of functional gummies.

The study aimed to extract and encapsulate betalain pigment from prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) using ultrasound-assisted extraction and eco-friendly glycerol. Subsequent analysis encompassed assessing its thermal stability, shelf-life, bio-accessibility, and biological properties. The process optimization employed Response Surface Methodology (RSM), focusing on glycerol concentration (20-50 %), sample to solvent ratio (1:10-1:20), temperature (30-60 °C), and time (10-30 min). Optimal conditions were determined as 23.15 % glycerol, 1:10 sample to solvent ratio, 10.43 min treatment time, and 31.15 °C temperature. Under these conditions, betalain content reached 858.28 mg/L with a 93.76 % encapsulation efficiency. Thermal stability tests (80-180 °C; 30 & 60 min) showed degradation of betalain with higher temperatures and longer durations, affecting the visual aspect (ΔE) of the pigment. Encapsulated betalain exhibited favorable shelf stability, with optimal storage life of 404.27 days at 4 °C in amber conditions, compared to 271.99 days at 4 °C without amber, 141.92 days at 25 °C without amber, and 134.22 days at 25 °C with amber. Bio-accessibility of encapsulated betalain was significantly higher (2.05 ± 0.03 %) than conventionally extracted pigment (1.03 ± 0.09 %). The encapsulated pigment displayed strong anti-inflammatory properties in dosages of 2-20 µL, with no cytotoxic effects. Additionally, incorporation into gummies was successful and visually approved by sensory panellists. Glycerol proved to be a green encapsulating agent for betalain, offering high shelf life and bio-accessibility, making it suitable for food industry applications. The encapsulated pigment demonstrated robust thermal stability and shelf life, making it suitable for food industry applications. This study highlights glycerol's potential as a sustainable alternative for natural pigment extraction.

Novel insights on the multi-functional properties of flavonol glucosides from red onion (Allium cepa L) solid waste - In vitro and in silico approach.

Flavonol glucosides was extracted from red onion solid waste (ROSW) and multi-functional properties were determined to develop alternative strategy for therapeutic beneficiation and utilisation as functional food. The major flavonol glucosides extracted from ROSW were confirmed as quercetin-3, 4'-O-diglucoside (QDG), quercetin-3-O-glucoside (isoquercetin), quercetin-4'-O-glucoside (spiraeoside), isorhamnetin- 4'-glucoside (IMG), quercetin glycoside (QG), and quercetin (Q) using a combination of chromatographic, spectroscopic and scientific literature data. The ROSW solvent fractions and extracted flavonol glucosides showed significant antioxidant effect with DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, and ORAC radical scavenging assays. The in vitro and in silico study revealed that the QG, QDG, isoquercetin, and spiraeoside from ROSW exhibited potent α-glucosidase, tyrosinase and xanthine oxidase enzyme inhibitory activity. In addition, QG, QDG, isoquercetin, and spiraeoside showed potent anticancer effect on HeLa cancer lines. Considering these results, the utilization of ROSW and their flavonol glucosides might be helpful for developing potential antioxidant, anticancer and enzyme inhibitory agents.