Fortifying jelly foods with microencapsulated anti-anaemic compounds, ferrous gluconate, ascorbic acid and folic acid.

Low ferrous iron bioavailability presents a challenge for food fortification programmes. In this study, jelly foods were fortified with spray-dried chitosan microparticles that had been loaded with ferrous gluconate (FeG) and folic acid (FA) to alleviate iron deficiency anaemia and FA deficiency anaemia, respectively. The presence of FA and ascorbic acid (AA) increased the in vitro iron bioavailability of the FeG-AA-FA microparticles up to sixfold. Furthermore, the iron bioavailability of the fortified jelly foods increased more than 5 folds compared to that of the FeG-AA-FA microparticles. The use of lower temperature during the preparation of fortified jelly foods is recommended to avoid the microparticles' decomposition and a Maillard browning reaction. These findings can help food technologists and product developers select formulations with higher ferrous bioavailability to reduce the prevalence of anaemia. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13197-022-05599-7.

Water-in-Oil-in-Water Nanoemulsions Containing Temulawak (Curcuma xanthorriza Roxb) and Red Dragon Fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus) Extracts.

Hydrophobic curcumin in temulawak extract and hydrophilic betacyanin in red dragon fruit extract are high-value bioactive compounds with extensive applications in functional food. In this study, these extracts were encapsulated in water-in-oil-in-water (w/o/w) nanoemulsions as a delivery system using a two-step high-energy emulsification method. PGPR and Span 20 were used as lipophilic emulsifiers for the primary w/o emulsion. The most stable w/o/w formulation with the least oil phase separation of 5% v/v consisted of w/o emulsion (15% w/w) and Tween 80 (1.5% w/w) as hydrophilic emulsifier. The formulation was characterized by a 189-nm mean droplet diameter, 0.16 polydispersity index, and -32 mV zeta potential. The freeze-thaw stability may be attributed to the combination of low w/o emulsion content and high Tween 80 concentration in the outer water phase of the w/o/w nanoemulsions used in this study. The IC50 values of the nanoemulsion and the red dragon fruit extract were similar. It means that the higher concentration of curcumin in the nanoemulsions and the lower IC50 value of temulawak extract ensured sufficient antioxidant activities of the w/o/w nanoemulsions.

Optimization of Chitosan-Alginate Microparticles for Delivery of Mangostins to the Colon Area Using Box-Behnken Experimental Design.

Chitosan-alginate microparticles loaded with hydrophobic mangostins present in the mangosteen rind extract have been formulated and optimized for colon-targeted bioactive drug delivery systems. The chitosan-mangostin microparticles were prepared using the ionotropic gelation method with sodium tripolyphosphate as the cross-linking agent of chitosan. The chitosan-mangostin microparticles were then encapsulated in alginate with calcium chloride as the linking agent. The mangostin release profile was optimized using the Box-Behnken design for response surface methodology with three independent variables: (A) chitosan-mangostin microparticle size, (B) alginate:chitosan mass ratio, and (C) concentration of calcium chloride. The following representative equation was obtained: percent cumulative release of mangostins (10 h) = 59.51 - 5.16A + 20.00B - 1.27C - 1.70AB - 5.43AC - 5.04BC + 0.0579A2 + 10.25B2 + 1.10C2. Cumulative release of 97% was obtained under the following optimum condition for microparticle preparation: chitosan-mangosteen particle size < 100 µm, alginate:chitosan mass ratio of 0.5, and calcium chloride concentration of 4% w/v. The alginate to chitosan mass ratio is the statistically significant variable in the optimization of sequential release profile of mangostins in simulated gastrointestinal fluids. Furthermore, a sufficient amount of alginate is necessary to modify the chitosan microparticles and to achieve a complete release of mangostins. The results of this work indicate that the complete release of mangostins to the colon area can be achieved using the chitosan-alginate microparticles as the bioactive delivery system.

Polyalcohols as Hydrogen-Bonding Donors in Choline Chloride-Based Deep Eutectic Solvents for Extraction of Xanthones from the Pericarp of Garcinia mangostana L.

Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.) is a fruit that is rich in xanthones, utilized as health supplements or additives in food products due to their high antioxidant activities. Choline chloride (ChCl)-based deep eutectic solvents (DESs) with polyalcohols (ethylene glycol, glycerol, propanediols, and butanediols) as hydrogen bonding donors (HBDs) were used to extract the xanthones from the pericarp of mangosteen. DESs with 1,2-propanediol, 1,3-propanediol, and 1,2-butanediol as HBDs (ChCl to HBD mole ratio of 1:3) afforded the highest extraction yields (2.40-2.63%) of α-mangostin, the most abundant component that represents xanthones. These DESs have intermediate Nile Red polar parameter values similar to that of ethanol and provide extraction yields with a quadratic dependence on the polar parameter. Polarity and viscosity, the important physicochemical properties to consider in the selection of DES as an extraction solvent, could be adjusted based on the consideration of the molecular structure of the polyalcohols. The following factors qualifies the ChCl-1,2-propanediol DES as a designer solvent for green extraction: It is selected from a set of DESs having a homologous class of HBDs to deliver the highest α-mangostin extraction yield, its extract composition similar to that obtained using ethanol, it has low or negligible vapor pressure, both of its components are generally recognized as safe chemicals so that direct utilization of a DES extract is possible, and this DES is used for utilization of agricultural waste products as the resource of bioactive compounds.

Glucomannan isolation from porang (Amorphophallus muelleri Blume) flour using natural deep eutectic solvents and ethanol: A comparative study.

Ethanol is a common solvent to isolate glucomannan from porang (Amorphophallus muelleri Blume) flour (NPF). This study investigated the use of natural deep eutectic solvents (NADESs) in glucomannan isolation from NPF. NADESs formed by the hydrogen bond acceptors (choline chloride and betaine) and the hydrogen bond donors (glycerol, 1,2-propanediol, formic acid, and acetic acid) in varying molar ratios of 1:2, 1:3, and 1:4 were characterized to optimize glucomannan isolation. The results showed that higher molar ratios of NADES tended to yield porang glucomannan flour (PGF) with higher glucomannan content and viscosity. The gel of PGF exhibited pseudoplastic behavior. The FTIR spectra indicated that betaine-based NADES removed the acetyl groups from glucomannan chains. The PGF obtained from NADESs with a molar ratio of 1:4 was comparable to those obtained from ethanol with a glucomannan content of 87.34 %-93.28 % and a weight-average molecular weight of 9.12 × 105-1.20 × 106 g/mol.

The Potency of Maillard Conjugates Containing Whey Protein as Natural Emulsifier.

There is a continued need for the advancement of natural emulsifiers to replace synthetic emulsifiers, driven by human health concerns. This study is aimed at producing protein-polysaccharide conjugates through the Maillard reaction and at evaluating its ability as an emulsifier based on its emulsifying properties. The proteins used in this study were bovine milk whey protein and soy protein isolates, while the polysaccharides were maltodextrin and pectin. The protein-polysaccharide conjugation used a Maillard reaction under dry heating conditions. The protein and polysaccharide mass ratios were 1 : 2 and 1 : 3. The results showed that the types of proteins and polysaccharides and their mass affect the surface tension of the conjugate products. Whey protein-pectin conjugates with a mass ratio of 1 : 2 and a concentration of 1% had the lowest surface tension at 43.77 dyne/cm2. This conjugate sample also showed the highest emulsifying index at 27.20 m2/g. The conjugate powder containing pectin as a polysaccharide showed better emulsifying activity than that of those containing maltodextrin. However, the smallest droplet size of the emulsion (256.5 nm) resulted from the emulsification process using whey protein-maltodextrin conjugates as an emulsifier. The FTIR and gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis confirmed the conjugation formation. In general, protein-polysaccharide conjugates containing whey protein could potentially act as a natural emulsifier for food.

Nanoemulsions containing Garcinia mangostana L. pericarp extract for topical applications: Development, characterization, and in vitro percutaneous penetration assay.

A highly stable oil-in-water nanoemulsion for topical applications, containing mangostins extracted from the pericarp of mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.), is a promising strategy to protect mangostins as well as to improve penetration of these important antioxidants through the skins. Nanoemulsions consisted of virgin coconut oil as the oil phase, Tween-80 and Span-80 as surfactants, and xanthan gum as the thickening agent, were prepared using the high-energy and low-energy emulsification methods. The nanoemulsions that were stable up to 28 days had oil droplet diameter of 220 nm to 353 nm and zeta potential of -46.9 mV to -63.7 mV. The accelerated stability test showed that the most stable nanoemulsions were those prepared using the low-energy emulsification method with an estimated shelf life of eleven months, composed of 11% oil phase, 17% surfactant, and 72% aqueous phase. The in vitro percutaneous penetration test for the nanoemulsion with added xanthan gum provided high cumulative skin penetration of mangostins of up to 114 µg/cm2. The results of this study indicate that virgin coconut oil-based nanoemulsions containing mangostins, prepared using the low-energy emulsification method, stabilized by xanthan gum and mixed at 40°C can prospectively be used for topical applications.

Enhanced bone regeneration capability of chitosan sponge coated with TiO2 nanoparticles.

Chitosan has been a popular option for tissue engineering, however exhibits limited function for bone regeneration due to its low mechanical robustness and non-osteogenic inductivity. Here we hybridized chitosan with TiO2 nanoparticles to improve its bone regeneration capability. Morphology and crystallographic analysis showed that TiO2 nanoparticles in anatase-type were distributed evenly on the surface of the chitosan sponges. Degradation test showed a significant effect of TiO2 nanoparticles addition in retaining its integrity. Biomineralization assay using simulated body fluid showed apatite formation in sponges surface as denoted by PO4- band observed in FTIR results. qPCR analysis supported chitosan - TiO2 sponges in bone regeneration capability as indicated by DMP1 and OCN gene upregulation in TiO2 treated group. Finally, cytotoxicity analysis supported the fact that TiO2 nanoparticles added sponges were proved to be biocompatible. Results suggest that chitosan-50% TiO2 nanoparticles sponges could be a potential novel scaffold for bone tissue engineering.

Deacidification of palm oil using betaine monohydrate-based natural deep eutectic solvents.

In the palm oil industry, the deacidification process is performed by steam stripping which causes the loss of most of palm oil's natural antioxidants due to high temperature. The liquid-liquid extraction process which is carried out at low temperature is preferable in order to preserve these compounds. The use of hydrated ethanol can reduce the losses of antioxidants, but the ability of this solvent to extract free fatty acids also decreases. Betaine monohydrate-based natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) have extensive potential for this process. The selectivity of these NADES was determined to select a preferable solvent. The betaine monohydrate-glycerol NADES in a molar ratio of 1:8 was determined to be the preferred solvent with the highest selectivity. This solvent has an efficiency of palmitic acid extraction of 34.14%, and the amount of antioxidants can be preserved in the refined palm oil up to 99%. The compounds are stable during extraction.

Review of Angiotensin-converting Enzyme Inhibitory Assay: Rapid Method in Drug Discovery of Herbal Plants.

The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system is a signaling pathway which responsible in the blood pressure regulation. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is one of the key elements responsible for the hypertensive mechanism. It converts angiotensin-I to angiotensin-II. The discovery history of the ACE inhibitory activity assay method has been through a long stage for decades and development continues until today. The ACE inhibitory activity has become an effective screening method in the search for new antihypertensive agents from herbal plants. Some of in vitro assay methods were used to examine the activity of ACE inhibitors based on the substrate usage, such as; Cushman and Cheung Method using a substrate hippuryl-histidyl-leucine (HHL), Holmquist method using a substrate furanacryloyl-tripeptide, Elbl and Wagner method using a substrate benzoil-[l-14C] glicyl-L-histidine-L-leucine, Carmel and Yaron method using a substrate o-aminobenzoylglycyl-p-nitrophenylalanilproline, and Lam method using 3-hydroxybutyrylglycyl-glycyl-glycine as substrate. Several different methods to measure the results of enzymatic reactions or separating substrate with products, including spectrophotometric, fluorometric, high-performance liquid chromatography, electrophoresis, and radiochemistry. Application of the test method for screening the ACE inhibitors activity and investigation of active compounds from natural products can be done easily with this method, it is very helpful in research because the results obtained are simple, accurate, and rapid.

Drug release from PLGA microspheres attached to solids using supercritical CO2.

Functionalization of a porous orthopedic implant with dexamethasone, a widely used anti-inflammatory drug, encapsulated within a biodegradable polymer for controlled release could help reduce or eliminate the inflammation response by the local tissue. In this research, we investigated the possibility of using supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2) for attaching dexamethasone-loaded PLGA (polylactic-co-glycolic acid) microspheres to porous CoCrMo alloy for continuous delivery of dexamethasone. Supercritical CO2 has been shown to be effective for attachment of PLGA microspheres to glass plates and porous CoCrMo alloy. Attached microspheres showed similar dexamethasone release profiles but different magnitude of burst release. Microspheres attached to the porous alloy samples using supercritical CO2 at 10 bar and 40 °C for 30 min showed a release profile similar to that of the nonattached microspheres. The microsphere morphology and the release profiles of microspheres attached to the glass plates and to the porous alloy samples suggest that dexamethasone burst release is enhanced by PLGA swelling at higher CO2 pressures and better dispersion of microspheres. This study shows that microspheres can be incorporated into porous solids using supercritical CO2, allowing for a wide variety of drug-biodegradable polymer formulations prepared using the proven emulsion/solvent evaporation method to be tested.