Microencapsulation of Tecoma stans Extracts: Bioactive Properties Preservation and Physical Characterization Analysis.

Bioactive compounds from medicinal plants have applications in the development of functional foods. However, since they are unstable, encapsulation is used as a conservation alternative. This work aimed to assess the bioactive properties (antioxidant and hypoglycemic) of different extracts, including the infusion, as well as their spray-dried microencapsulates from Tecoma stans leaves. A factorial design was proposed to determine the best extraction conditions, based on ABTS and DPPH inhibition. Maltodextrin (MD), arabic gum (AG), and a 1:1 blend (MD:AG) were used as encapsulating agents. Moreover, characterization through physicochemical properties, gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the best two powders based on the bioactive properties were analyzed. The results showed that the combination of stirring, water, and 5 min provided the highest inhibition to ABTS and DPPH (35.64 ± 1.25 mg Trolox/g d.s. and 2.77 ± 0.01 g Trolox/g d.s., respectively). Spray drying decreased the antioxidant activity of the extract while preserving it in the infusion. The encapsulated infusion with MD:AG had the highest hypoglycemic activity as it presented the lowest glycemic index (GI = 47). According to the results, the microencapsulates could potentially be added in foods to enhance nutritional quality and prevent/treat ailments.

In silico guided pre-treatment of sugarcane juice with natural inhibitors of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) is a new and effective strategy for development of spray-dried formulation.

Sugarcane juice is a popular beverage and is also processed to produce sugar. The polyphenol oxidase (PPO) in sugarcane juice causes enzymatic browning and makes the process of sugar production complex and cumbersome. Storage of sugarcane juice is also hampered by the high sugar content and rapid microbial fermentation. The present research assessed the potential of lemon juice (LJ) and ginger extract (GE) as natural inhibitors of PPO. Enzyme kinetics and the mechanism of inhibition of LJ and GE were studied. Primary investigation was carried out using molecular docking approach to assess the inhibitory potential of LJ and GE and to determine the nature of interaction between the enzyme and inhibitors. Extracts were used as inhibitors and studies revealed that both reduced the PPO activity. Subsequently, pure bioactive inhibitors such as ascorbic acid, citric acid, and 6-shogaol present in these natural extracts were used to study the mode of inhibition of PPO. Citric acid decreased PPO activity by lowering pH, while ascorbic acid was found to be a competitive inhibitor of PPO with a Ki of 75.69 µM. The proportion of LJ and GE required in sugarcane juice was optimized on the basis of browning index and sensory acceptance. Further, the sugarcane cane juice after inhibition of PPO under optimized conditions was spray dried and evaluated for reconstitution properties. The product formulated in the present study is a new and effective approach to address quality-compromising issues associated with long-term storage of cane juice.

Development of microencapsulated grape juice powders using black 'Isabel' grape peel pectin and application in jelly formulation with enhanced in vitro bioaccessibility of anthocyanins.

In this study, pigmented pectin (grape pectin, GP) was extracted from the peels of black Isabel grapes. This highly methoxylated GP was composed mainly of galacturonic acid, arabinose, and other neutral monosaccharides. Its red color was ascribed to the anthocyanin content, and the main contribution was from malvidin-3-O-glucoside. To improve the yield and color properties of spray-dried Isabel grape juice powders, maltodextrin (MD) was substituted with this colored GP. When 25% of MD was substituted with GP, the powder yield increased from 46.0% to 60.4%, but it decreased to 21% when the substitution was 40%. GP inclusion increased the encapsulation efficiency of total anthocyanin in powders from 55.70% to 88.66%. When this spray-dried grape juice powder containing GP was utilized in a jelly recipe (4%-10%), a higher level of inclusion yielded stronger and more brittle jellies. When the jellies containing varying amounts of GP were subjected to in vitro digestion, the formulation with a higher amount of GP yielded a higher recovery of anthocyanins. In addition to being utilized as a carrier agent for spray-drying applications, this pigmented GP can also be tailored for a variety of applications, such as the development of pH-sensitive edible films and functional beverage formulations.

Phenolic composition and sensory dynamic profile of chocolate samples enriched with red wine and blueberry powders.

Cabernet Sauvignon (CS) and a combination of Cabernet Sauvignon with blueberry extract (CS + B), were spray dried (using maltodextrin DE10, 13.5% w/w as a carrier) to obtain two types of phenolic-rich powders. The addition of blueberry to CS increased phenolic compounds content by 16%. Eight chocolate formulations were obtained by modifying concentrations of cocoa solids, cocoa butter, and sugar. Six of the samples were added with 10% w/w of phenolic-rich powder, while two of them remained as powder-free controls. The anthocyanin and flavan-3-ol profiles of chocolates were determined by HPLC-DAD-MS and HPLC-MS, respectively. In addition, the sensory dynamic profile of samples was assessed by Temporal Dominance of Sensations with a consumer panel. Results showed that the addition of phenolic-rich powders produced a significant increase in the anthocyanin composition obtaining the highest anthocyanin content in the white chocolate added with CS + B powder. On the other hand, adding 10% of CS powder to dark chocolate (55% cocoa pellets) did not result in a significant increase in phenolic compounds. The addition of phenolic-rich powders to chocolates influenced visual color, texture, and taste, leading to new products with distinctive characteristics and increasing the possibility of using phenolic-rich powders as innovative and healthy ingredients.

The Valorisation of Melissa officinalis Distillation By-Products for the Production of Polyphenol-Rich Formulations.

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is an aromatic and medicinal plant, rich in bioactive ingredients and with superior antioxidant activity. The essential oil of this plant is an expensive product, so the use of the by-products of the essential oil industry is particularly useful. The aim of this research was to process Melissa officinalis distillation by-products to develop a series of polyphenol-rich formulations. In the present research, lemon balm was distilled in a laboratory-scale distiller, and the recovered by-product was used for further successive extractions with acetone and water, using a fixed-bed semi-batch extractor. Acetone extract exhibited relatively poor results as far as yield, phenolic composition and antiradical activity are concerned. However, the aqueous extract presented high yield in both total phenolic content (i.e., 111 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g, on a dry herb basis (dw)), and anti-radical capacity (205 mg trolox equivalents (TE)/g dw). On a dried extract basis, the results were also impressive, with total phenols reaching 322 mg GAE/g dry extract and antiradical capacity at 593 mg TE/g dry extract. The phenolic components of the extract were identified and quantified by HPLC-DAD. Rosmarinic acid was the major component and amounted to 73.5 mg/g dry extract, while the total identified compounds were quantified at 165.9 mg/g dry extract. Finally, formulations with two different wall materials (gum arabic-maltodextrin and maltodextrin) and two different drying methods (spray-drying and freeze-drying) were applied and evaluated to assess their performance, yield, efficiency and shelf-life of total phenolic content and rosmarinic acid concentration. From the present investigation, it is concluded that after one year of storage, rosmarinic acid does not decrease significantly, while total phenolic content shows a similar decrease for all powders. According to the yield and efficiency of microencapsulation, maltodextrin alone was chosen as the wall material and freeze-drying as the preferred drying method.

A Green Bioactive By-Product Almond Skin Functional Extract for Developing Nutraceutical Formulations with Potential Antimetabolic Activity.

(1) Background: almond peels are rich in polyphenols such as catechin and epicatechin, which are important anti-free-radical agents, anti-inflammatory compounds, and capable of breaking down cholesterol plaques. This work aims to evaluate the biological and technological activity of a "green" dry aqueous extract from Sicilian almond peels, a waste product of the food industry, and to develop healthy nutraceuticals with natural ingredients. Eudraguard® Natural is a natural coating polymer chosen to develop atomized formulations that improve the technological properties of the extract. (2) Methods: the antioxidant and free radical scavenger activity of the extract was rated using different methods (DPPH assay, ABTS, ORAC, NO). The metalloproteinases of the extracts (MMP-2 and MMP-9), the enhanced inhibition of the final glycation products, and the effects of the compounds on cell viability were also tested. All pure materials and formulations were characterized using UV, HPLC, FTIR, DSC, and SEM methods. (3) Results: almond peel extract showed appreciable antioxidant and free radical activity with a stronger NO inhibition effect, strong activity on MMP-2, and good antiglycative effects. In light of this, a food supplement with added health value was formulated. Eudraguard® Natural acted as a swelling substrate by improving extract solubility and dissolution/release (4) Conclusions: almond peel extract has significant antioxidant activity and MMP/AGE inhibition effects, resulting in an optimal candidate to formulate safe microsystems with potential antimetabolic activity. Eudraguard® Natural is capable of obtaining spray-dried microsystems with an improvement in the extract's biological and technological characteristics. It also protects the dry extract from degradation and oxidation, prolonging the shelf life of the final product.

[Application prospect of reaction engineering approach in studying drying behavior of single droplet during spray drying of traditional Chinese medicine].

Spray drying technology is one of the most commonly used unit operations in the production of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) preparations, offering advantages such as short drying time and uniform product quality. However, due to the properties of TCM extracts, such as high viscosity, strong hygroscopicity, and poor flowability, there is limited scope to solve the problems of wall adhesion and clumping in spray drying from the macroscopic perspective of pharmaceutical production. Therefore, it has become a trend to study and optimize the spray drying process from the microscopic point of view by investigating single droplet evaporation behavior. Based on the reaction engineering approach(REA), the single droplet drying system, as a novel method for studying droplets, collects parameter data on individual TCM droplets during the drying process and uses the REA to process the data and establish predictive models. This approach is crucial for understanding the mechanism of TCM spray drying. This paper summarized and analyzed the cha-racteristics of various single droplet systems, the application of REA in single droplet drying systems, and its significance in optimizing the process, predicting drying states, and shortening the development cycle in the field of TCM spray drying, and looked ahead to the prospects of this method, including the introduction of new parameters and imaging techniques, aiming to provide a reference for further research in the field of TCM spray drying.

Reconstituted dry powder formulations of ZnO-adjuvanted ovalbumin induce equivalent antigen specific antibodies but lower T cell responses than ovalbumin adjuvanted with Alhydrogel® or cationic adjuvant formulation 01 (CAF®01).

Most licensed human vaccines are based on liquid dosage forms but have poor storage stability and require continuous and expensive cold-chain storage. In contrast, the use of solid vaccine dosage forms produced by for example spray drying, extends shelf life and eliminates the need for a cold chain. Zinc oxide (ZnO)-based nanoparticles display immunomodulatory properties, but their adjuvant effect as a dry powder formulation is unknown. Here, we show that reconstituted dry powder formulations of ZnO particles containing the model antigen ovalbumin (OVA) induce antigen-specific CD8+ T-cell and humoral responses. By systematically varying the ratio between ZnO and mannitol during spray drying, we manufactured dry powder formulations of OVA-containing ZnO particles that displayed: (i) a spherical or wrinkled surface morphology, (ii) an aerodynamic diameter and particle size distribution optimal for deep lung deposition, and (iii) aerosolization properties suitable for lung delivery. Reconstituted dry powder formulations of ZnO particles were well-tolerated by Calu-3 lung epithelial cells. Furthermore, almost equivalent OVA-specific serum antibody responses were stimulated by reconstituted ZnO particles, OVA adjuvanted with Alhydrogel®, and OVA adjuvanted with the cationic adjuvant formulation 01 (CAF®01). However, reconstituted dry powder ZnO particles and OVA adjuvanted with Alhydrogel® induced significantly lower OVA-specific CD8+CD44+ T-cell responses in the spleen than OVA adjuvanted with CAF®01. Similarly, reconstituted dry powder ZnO particles activated significantly lower percentages of follicular helper T cells and germinal center B cells in the draining lymph nodes than OVA adjuvanted with CAF®01. Overall, our results show that reconstituted dry powder formulations of ZnO nanoparticles can induce antigen-specific antibodies and can be used in vaccines to enhance antigen-specific humoral immune responses against subunit protein antigens.

Spray-dried Solid Lipid Nanoparticles for Enhancing Berberine Bioavailability via Oral Administration.

BACKGROUND: Berberine (BBR), an Eastern traditional medicine, has expressed novel therapeutic activities, especially for chronic diseases like diabetes, hyperlipemia, hypertension, and Alzheimer's disease. However, the low oral bioavailability of BBR has limited the applications of these treatments. Hence, BBRloaded solid lipid nanoparticles (BBR-SLNs) were prepared to improve BBR absorption into systemic circulations via this route. METHODS: BBR-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (BBR-SLNs) were prepared by ultrasonication and then transformed into solid form via spray drying technique. The size morphology of BBR-SLNs was evaluated by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Crystallinity of BBR and interaction of BBR with other excipients were checked by spectroscopic methods. Entrapment efficiency of BBR-SLNs as well as BBR release in gastrointestinal conditions were also taken into account. Lastly, SLN's cytotoxicity for loading BBR was determined with human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293). RESULTS: Stearic acid (SA), glyceryl monostearate (GMS), and poloxamer 407 (P407) were selected for BBRSLNs fabrication. BBR-SLNs had homogenous particle sizes of less than 200 nm, high encapsulation efficiency of nearly 90% and loading capacity of above 12%. BBR-SLN powder could be redispersed without significant changes in physicochemical properties and was stable for 30 days. Spray-dried BBR-SLNs showed a better sustained in vitro release profile than BBR-SLNs suspension and BBR during the initial period, followed by complete dissolution of BBR over 24 hours. Notably, cell viability on HEK293 even increased up to 150% compared to the control sample at 100 µg/mL BBR-unloaded SLNs. CONCLUSION: Hence, SLNs may reveal a promising drug delivery system to broaden BBR treatment for oral administration.

Study on Improving the Performance of Traditional Medicine Extracts with High Drug Loading Based on Co-spray Drying Technology.

The purpose of this study is to develop modified particles with different structures to improve the flowability and compactibility of Liuwei Dihuang (LWDH) powder using co-spray drying technology, and to investigate the preparation mechanism of modified particles and their modified direct compaction (DC) properties. Moreover, tablets with high drug loading contents were also prepared. Particles were designed using polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP K30) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC E3) as shell materials, and sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) and ammonium bicarbonate (NH4HCO3) as pore-forming agents. The porous particles (Ps), core-shell particles (CPs), and porous core-shell particles (PCPs) were prepared by co-spray drying technology. The key DC properties and texture properties of all the particles were measured and compared. The properties of co-spray drying liquid were also determined and analyzed. According to the results, Ps showed the least improvement in DC properties, followed by CPs, and PCPs showed a significant improvement. The modifier, because of its low surface tension, was wrapped in the outer layer to form a shell, and the pore-forming agent was thermally decomposed to produce pores, forming core-shell, porous, and porous core-shell composite structures. The smooth surface of the shell structure enhances fluidity, while the porous structure allows for greater compaction space, thereby improving DC properties during the compaction process.

Characterization of Spray-Dried Microcapsules of Paprika Oleoresin Induced by Ultrasound and High-Pressure Homogenization: Physicochemical Properties and Storage Stability.

As an indispensable process in the microencapsulation of active substances, emulsion preparation has a significant impact on microencapsulated products. In this study, five primary emulsions of paprika oleoresin (PO, the natural colourant extracted from the fruit peel of Capsicum annuum L.) with different particle sizes (255-901.7 nm) were prepared using three industrialized pulverization-inducing techniques (stirring, ultrasound induction, and high-pressure homogenization). Subsequently, the PO emulsion was microencapsulated via spray drying. The effects of the different induction methods on the physicochemical properties, digestive behaviour, antioxidant activity, and storage stability of PO microencapsulated powder were investigated. The results showed that ultrasound and high-pressure homogenization induction could improve the encapsulation efficiency, solubility, and rehydration capacity of the microcapsules. In vitro digestion studies showed that ultrasound and high-pressure homogenization induction significantly increased the apparent solubility and dissolution of the microcapsules. High-pressure homogenization induction significantly improved the antioxidant capacity of the microcapsules, while high-intensity ultrasound (600 W) induction slowed down the degradation of the microcapsule fats and oils under short-term UV and long-term natural light exposure. Our study showed that ultrasound and high-pressure homogenization equipment could successfully be used to prepare emulsions containing nanoscale capsicum oil resin particles, improve their functional properties, and enhance the oral bioavailability of this bioactive product.

Whey-pectin microcapsules improve the stability of grape marc phenolics during digestion.

Grape marc (GM) is an agri-food residue from the wine industry valuable for its high content of phenolic compounds. This study aimed to develop an encapsulation system for GM extract (GME) using food-grade biopolymers resistant to gastric conditions for its potential use as a nutraceutical. For this purpose, a hydroalcoholic GME was prepared with a total phenolics content of 219.62 ± 11.50 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g dry extract and 1389.71 ± 97.33 µmol Trolox equivalents/g dry extract antioxidant capacity, assessed through ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) assay. Moreover, the extract effectively neutralized reactive oxygen species in Caco-2 cells, demonstrating an intracellular antioxidant capacity comparable to Trolox. The GME was encapsulated using whey protein isolate and pectin through nano spray drying (73% yield), resulting in spherical microparticles with an average size of 1 ± 0.5 µm and a polydispersity of 0.717. The encapsulation system protected the microcapsules from simulated gastrointestinal digestion (GID), where at the end of the intestinal phase, 82% of the initial phenolics were bioaccessible compared to 54% in the free GME. Besides, the encapsulated GME displayed a higher antioxidant activity by the ferric reducing antioxidant power assay than the free extract after GID. These results show the potential of this encapsulation system for applying GME as a nutraceutical with a high antioxidant capacity and protective effect against cellular oxidation.

Microencapsulation of phenolic compounds extracted from soybean seed coats by spray-drying.

This study aimed to characterize and microencapsulate soybean seed coats phenolic compounds by spray-drying, evaluating physicochemical properties and storage stability. Different extraction methodologies were used to obtain crude extract (SCE), ethyl acetate fraction, water fraction, and bound phenolic extract. Extraction yield, total phenolic and flavonoid contents, and antioxidant capacity were determined. HPLC-electrospray ionization source-MS/MS analysis was performed on SCE. Microencapsulation by spray-drying of SCE incorporating 10%, 20%, and 30% maltodextrin (MD) was carried out. Drying yield (DY), encapsulation efficiency (EE), moisture, morphology and particle size, dry, and aqueous storage stability were evaluated on the microcapsules. SCE had 7.79 g/100 g polyphenolic compounds (mainly isoflavones and phenolic acids) with antioxidant activity. Purification process by solvent partitioning allowed an increase of phenolic content and antioxidant activity. Microcapsules with 30% MD exhibited the highest DY, EE, and stability. Microencapsulated polyphenolic compounds from soybean seed coats can be used as functional ingredients in food products. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Soybean seed coat is a usually discarded agro-industrial by-product, which presents antioxidant compounds of interest to human health. These compounds are prone to oxidation due to their chemical structure; therefore, microencapsulation is a viable and reproducible solution to overcome stability-related limitations. Microencapsulation of soybean seed coats polyphenols is an alternative which protects and extends the stability of phenolic compounds that could be potentially incorporated into food products as a natural additive with antioxidant properties.

Biological stabilization of natural pigment-phytochemical from poppy-pollen (Papaver bracteatum) extract: Functional food formulation.

In this study, poppy-pollen extract (as a novel source of pigment and natural phytochemical) was microencapsulated. The spray-drying process maintained the encapsulation efficiency (EE) of phenolic (84-93%), anthocyanins (71-83%), and also antioxidant activity of extract in inhibiting DPPH (68-80%), ABTS (74-95%), OH (63-74%) radicals and reducing power (84-95%). The results of the Photo- and thermal (40-70˚C) stability of the bioactive compounds (TPC and TAC) indicated the thermal degradation and decomposition of particles' surface compounds during storage. The chemical (FTIR) and morphological analyses respectively revealed the insertion of extract compounds in the carrier matrix and the production of healthy particles with wrinkled structures. An increase in the carrier concentration elevated physical-stability, maintained structural properties, reduced hygroscopicity, and formed liquid/solid bridges or deliquescence phenomenon. The evaluation of the color histogram of the fortified gummy-candies indicated the usability of the spray-dried PP extract in producing an attractive red color with high sensory perception.

Development of a microencapsulated probiotic delivery system with whey, xanthan, and pectin.

Pediococcus pentosaceus is a lactic acid bacterium that has probiotic potential proven by studies. However, its viability can be affected by adverse conditions such as storage, heat stress, and even gastrointestinal passage. Thus, the aim of the present study was to microencapsulate and characterize microcapsules obtained by spray drying and produced only with whey powder (W) or whey powder combined with pectin (WP) or xanthan (WX) in the protection of P. pentosaceus P107. In the storage test at temperatures of - 20 °C and 4 °C, the most viable microcapsule was WP (whey powder and pectin), although WX (whey powder and xanthan) presented better stability at 25 °C. In addition, WX did not show stability to ensure probiotic potential (< 6 Log CFU mL-1) for 110 days and the microcapsule W (whey powder) maintained probiotic viability at the three temperatures (- 20 °C, 4 °C, and 25 °C) for 180 days. In the exposition to simulated gastrointestinal juice, the WX microcapsule showed the best results in all tested conditions, presenting high cellular viability. For the thermal resistance test, WP microcapsule was shown to be efficient in the protection of P. pentosaceus P107 cells. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results showed that there was no chemical interaction between microcapsules of whey powder combined with xanthan or pectin. The three microcapsules produced were able to protect the cell viability of the microorganism, as well as the drying parameters were adequate for the microcapsules produced in this study.

Microcapsules of Sacha Inchi seed oil (Plukenetia volubilis L.) obtained by spray drying as a potential ingredient to formulate functional foods.

Sacha Inchi seed oil (SIO) is rich in omega 3, 6, and 9 fatty acids with important health benefits, but is temperature sensitive. Spray drying is a technology that improves the long-term stability of bioactive compounds. This work aimed to study the effect of three different homogenization techniques on some physical properties and bioavailability of microcapsules of Sacha Inchi seed oil (SIO) emulsions obtained by spray drying. Emulsions were formulated with SIO (5%, w/w), maltodextrin:sodium caseinate as wall material (10%, w/w; 85:15), Tween 20 (1%, w/w) and Span 80 (0.5%, w/w) as surfactants and water up to 100% (w/w). Emulsions were prepared using high-speed (Dispermat D-51580, 18,000 rpm, 10 min), conventional (Mixer K-MLIM50N01, Turbo speed, 5 min), and ultrasound probe (Sonics Materials VCX 750, 35% amplitude, 750 W, 30 min) homogenization. SIO microcapsules were obtained in a Mini Spray B-290 (Büchi) using two inlet temperatures of the drying air (150 and 170 °C). Moisture, density, dissolution rate, hygroscopicity, drying efficiency (EY), encapsulation efficiency (EE), loading capacity, and oil release in digestive fluids in vitro were studied. Results showed that the microcapsules obtained by spray-drying had low moisture values and high encapsulation yield and efficiency values (greater than 50% and 70%, respectively). The thermogravimetric analysis indicates that heat protection was assured, enhancing the shelf life and the ability to withstand thermal food processing. Results suggest that spray-drying encapsulation could be a suitable technology to successfully microencapsulate SIO and enhance the absorption of bioactive compounds in the intestine. This work highlights the use of Latin American biodiversity and spray drying technology to ensure the encapsulation of bioactive compounds. This technology represents an opportunity for the development of new functional foods, improving the safety and quality of conventional foods.

The enzymatic modification of whey-proteins for spray drying encapsulation of Ginkgo-biloba extract.

Ginkgo biloba extract (GBLE) contains many bioactives including flavonoids and terpene trilactones that play some pharmacological roles. These compounds are sensitive to operating conditions; so, encapsulation is a suitable approach to protect them. In this study, different carriers including maltodextrin (MD), and its combination with gum-Arabic (MD-GA), whey protein concentrate (MD-WPC), and whey-protein hydrolysate (MD-HWPC) were used to encapsulate GBLE. Powder production yield, physicochemical/functional characteristics, physical stability and flowability of particles were affected by the type and composition of carriers. FTIR results indicated the placement of phenolic compounds in the carrier matrix. The SEM images also showed the morphological changes of particles (especially the size, indentation and surface shrinkage) under the influence of various carriers. Microencapsulated powders formulated using MD-HWPC showed the highest values of TPC, DPPH, and ABTS and a lighter color which determined the suitability of this wall material (due to the improvement of surface activity and emulsifying properties of protein as a result of partial enzymatic hydrolysis) to protect the antioxidant properties of GBLE during spray-drying, improving the production yield and preserving physical and functional characteristics of the encapsulated powders.

Rapid Indomethacin Release from Porous Pectin Particles as a Colon-Targeted Drug Delivery System.

The conventional pectin delivery systems in the colon are often impaired by a slow release rate. Nanostructured particles, especially porous ones, have gained popularity as drug delivery systems owing to their high mass transfer efficiency. In this research, porous pectin particles were synthesized as drug carriers (using indomethacin as a model drug) via template-assisted spray drying. Specific surface areas of the porous pectin particles have been improved by up to 203 m2 g-1 compared with nonporous particles (1 m2 g-1). The porous structure shortened the diffusion path and improved the release rate of drug molecules. Additionally, the predominant drug release mechanism from porous pectin particles is Fickian diffusion, which is different from the combination of erosion and diffusion mechanism observed for nonporous particles. As a result, these porous drug-loaded pectin particles demonstrated rapid drug release rates of up to three times faster than nonporous particles. Control of the release rate could be achieved by changing the porous structure of the particles. This strategy is an efficient means to synthesize porous particles allowing rapid drug release into the colonic target.

Synthesis and in vivo evaluation of three fluid spray dried hybrid ciprofloxacin microparticles in Sprague Dawley rats.

The aim of this study is to prepare and characterise mucoadhesive silica-coated silver nanoparticles loaded with ciprofloxacin (S-AgNPs-CSCFX), and investigate serum biochemical, haematological, and histopathological effects in Sprague Dawley rats upon oral administration. S-AgNPs-CSCFX microparticles were prepared using three fluid nozzle spray drying and characterised by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray dispersive spectrometry (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), zeta potential and particles size measurements and X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD). Adult male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided between six-treated groups, including blank S-AgNPs and S-AgNPs-CSCFX (LD: Low dose; MD: Median Dose; HD: High Dose) and control group. Each group was treated daily to evaluate the effect of the prepared particles on the lipid profile, serum biochemical, hormonal level, haemogram, and vital organ histopathology. The results showed successful encapsulation of silver nanoparticles which resulted in spherical-shaped S-AgNPs-CSCFX with an average size of 1-5 µm and surface charge of 25.2 ± 5.52 mv. The in-vivo results showed that different doses of blank S-AgNPs and S-AgNPs-CSCFX had no significant toxic effects on the physiological, biochemical, and haematological parameters. There were no marked histopathological alterations in the vital organs of the treated rats with blank and loaded particles.

Spray dried date fruit extract with a maltodextrin/gum arabic binary blend carrier agent system: Process optimization and product quality.

Bioactive compounds can be protected from degradation through encapsulation, increasing their bioavailability and shelf life. Spray drying is an advanced encapsulation technique mainly used for the processing of food-based bioactives. In this study, Box-Behnken design (BBD)-based response surface methodology (RSM) was used to study the effects of combined polysaccharide carrier agents and other spray drying parameters on encapsulating date fruit sugars obtained from a supercritical assisted aqueous extraction. The spray drying parameters were set at various levels: Air inlet temperature (150-170 °C), feed flow rate (3-5 mL/min), and carrier agent concentration (30-50 %). Under the optimized conditions (inlet temperature of 170 °C, the feed flow rate of 3 mL/min, and carrier agent concentration of 44 %), a maximum sugar powder yield of 38.62 % with 3.5 % moisture, 18.2 % hygroscopicity and 91.3 % solubility was obtained. The tapped density and particle density of the dried date sugar were estimated as 0.575 g cm-3 and 1.81 g cm-3, respectively, showing its potential for easy storage. In addition, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed better microstructural stability of the fruit sugar product, which is essential for commercial applications. Thus, the hybrid carrier agent system (maltodextrin and gum arabic) can be considered a potential carrier agent for producing stable date sugar powder with longer shelf-life and desirable characteristics in the food industry.