Ferrous sulfate microparticles obtained by spray chilling: characterization, stability and in vitro digestion simulation.

The use of microencapsulated ferrous-sulfate is among the various options recommended for food fortification, as the protective wall material surrounding the compound can preserve it from undesirable alterations and also protect the food. Microencapsulated iron can be produced using different wall materials and encapsulation methods. Thus, a microparticle was developed through spray chilling, containing ferrous sulfate (FS), as active compound, and a fat mixture as the coating material. The resulting samples analyzed to determine encapsulation efficiency, particle size distribution, and morphology. Furthermore, the oxidative stability and bioaccessibility of FS microparticles were investigated by simulating in vitro digestion. The findings indicated that the encapsulation technique effectively retained FS, resulting in microparticles physically stable at room temperature with typical morphology. The encapsulation efficiency revealed that lower concentrations of FS led to reduced superficial iron content. However, the oxidative stability demonstrated that the presence of iron in the microparticles accelerated the lipid oxidation process. The in vitro digestion test demonstrated that the microparticles with lower iron content exhibited a higher percentage of bioaccessibility, even when compared to non-encapsulated FS. Additionally, the coating material successfully released FS during the simulation of gastrointestinal digestion, resulting in a bioaccessibility of 7.98%. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13197-023-05820-1.

Atomization of Cocoa Honey Using Whey Protein Isolate to Produce a Dry Formulation with Improved Shelf Life for Industrial Application.

Cocoa honey, a by-product obtained during the processing of cocoa, is a juice rich in pectin, organic acids, minerals and phenolic compounds with antioxidant properties. Fresh cocoa honey is quickly fermented due to its high content of reducing sugars, such as fructose and glucose, which limits its shelf life. Currently, cocoa honey is only commercialized in frozen form, as logistical challenges prevent the wide distribution or export of this by-product for applications in the market of sweets, jellies, beverages, confectionery, and nutraceutical foods among others. Spray-drying technology is a viable prospect for the large-scale stabilization of products such as cocoa honey, with less heat exposure compared to other conventional drying methods. This work aimed to evaluate the efficacy of drying adjuvants for a rapid removal of the water present in cocoa honey via atomization, since this process minimizes the effects of glass transition temperature (Tg) related to materials with high sugar contents. Physical parameters such as the moisture content, hygroscopicity, particle size, and yield of the products obtained were determined. Cocoa honey presented 85.3 ± 0.20 g/100 g of moisture. The formulations successfully decreased moisture content, which was lower than 11.72 ± 0.08 g/100 g in the formulations. Water activity ranged between 0.1464 ± 0.0043 and 0.1562 ± 0.029, with no significant difference between the formulations. The hygroscopicity of cocoa honey powders ranged from 29.29 to 29.87 g of water/100 g of cocoa honey. The combination of 20% maltodextrin and 1% whey protein isolate (WPI) led to the best yield, resulting in a free-flowing powder as the final product. On the other hand, the formulation composed of maltodextrin and whey protein isolate in the ratio of 29:1, respectively, led to the most stable product, with less loss of phenolic compounds during the drying process (6.04%). Regarding particle diameter, 90% of the accumulated distribution did not exceed 57 µm. The greatest dispersion of particles occurs in the Ma20W10 formulation with a span of 2.72, inferring greater variation in size between small (7.01 ± 0.06 µm), medium (18.25 ± 0.37 µm), and large (56.65 ± 1.17 µm) particles. The use of whey protein isolate as an adjuvant proved to be an efficient drying process in the production of cocoa honey powder, and was also advantageous for enriching the nutritional content of the final product due to its protein origin. Furthermore, the combination of spray-drying technology and the use of whey protein isolate as adjuvant led to a free-flowing cocoa honey powder with an adequate particle size and benefits in terms of shelf-life extension, providing new opportunities for the commercialization of cocoa honey as an ingredient for the food industry, with benefits for the circular economy.

The porosity of carbohydrate-based spray-dried microparticles containing limonene stabilized by pea protein: Correlation between porosity and oxidative stability.

In this study, the effects of different concentrations of pea protein concentrate (PPC) in the physical properties, porosity features, and oxidative stability of maltodextrin-based spray-dried microparticles containing orange essential oil (OEO, rich in limonene) were evaluated. The use of PPC resulted in spray-dried microparticles with encapsulation efficiencies of about 99 wt%, without visible pores, and relatively high glass transition temperature (66,4 °C) at Aw âˆ¼ 0.3. The nitrogen adsorption and positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy measurements showed that the increase of PPC concentration from 2.4 to 4.8 wt% (g of PPC/100 g of emulsion) did not affect the porosity features of the microparticles. These results were confirmed by the profiles of OEO retention and limonene oxide production, which were similar for both samples throughout four weeks of storage. Based on these results, we verified that the lower amount of PPC we tested can effectively protect the OEO during storage, showing that a relatively cheaper orange flavor powder can be produced using less protein.

Microparticles loaded with fish oil: stability studies, food application and sensory evaluation.

AIM: Evaluate the stability of microparticles loaded with fish oil produced by spray drying, spray chilling and by the combination of these techniques (double-shell) and use the microparticles for food application. METHODS: Samples were stored for 180 days at 6 °C and 24 °C (75% RH). Performed investigations included encapsulation efficiency, moisture content, aw, size (laser scattering), colour (L*, a*, b*), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) (GC), thermal behaviour (DSC) and crystalline structure (XRD). RESULTS: Double-shell microparticles containing 26 wt% core material, 22.74 ± 0.02 µm (D0.5) and 2.05 ± 0.03 span index, 1.262 ± 0.026 wt% moisture content and 0.240 ± 0.001 of aw had PUFAs retention higher than 90 wt% during storage at 6 °C without changes in crystalline structure (ß'-type crystals) and melting temperature (54 °C). The sensory evaluation suggested low fish oil release in oral phase digestion. CONCLUSIONS: Double-shell microparticles were effective to protect and deliver PUFAs.

Umami Ingredient: Flavor enhancer from shiitake (Lentinula edodes) byproducts.

An alternative use of shiitake stipes, usually treated as waste, was proposed for the production of a powder ingredient, rich in umami compounds, aiming its application in food. The extraction of umami compounds was optimized through the Response Surface Methodology (RSM), in order to obtain an extract with high umami taste intensity. From the optimized condition, a comparative analysis of shiitake stipes dehydration method was performed. Stipes were dehydrated by hot air drying (HD) and freeze drying (FD), submitted to extraction and the umami compounds in the extracts were compared. The comparative analysis showed that the 5' - nucleotides are more sensitive to prolonged heating, while the release of free amino acids (FAA) was favored by hot air drying. The HD samples extract showed higher Equivalent Umami Concentration (EUC). The spray drying of the HD samples extract allowed the production of a newly powder ingredient rich in umami compounds (Umami Ingredient) that can be applied in diverse food matrices. Due to the presence of umami compounds, Umami Ingredient can be a potential alternative to help in the process of sodium reduction by enhancing food flavor.

Performance of oil-in-water emulsions stabilized by different types of surface-active components.

The emulsion stability depends on the physicochemical properties of the dispersed phase and their interaction with the continuous phase. Surface-active compounds (SAC) are added in emulsions to reduce the interfacial tension (IT) between these phases and keep the oil droplets stabilized. Moreover, small amounts of SAC can occupy intermolecular voids in the dried matrix, reducing the oxidation. However, the formulation must reflect a trade-off between protection and emulsion stabilization. Therefore, this work aimed to identify the minimum concentration of SAC (modified starch-MS, gelatin-GE, and whey protein isolate-WPI) ranging from 0.48 to 6 % (w/w) to form and stabilize droplets of an unsaturated triglyceride (fish oil-FO) or a volatile oil (orange essential oil-OEO). GE did not change the IT (6.7 mN/m) and stabilized the emulsions only through an increase of the viscosity (∼42 mPas for FO-emulsions and ∼97 mPas for OEO-emulsions), presenting high droplet size (∼10 µm) and low surface charge (∼1.5 mV). WPI reduced the IT to a limit value (4.5 mN/m at 1.2 % w/w for OEO and 5.3 mN/m at 2.4 % w/w for FO), whereas MS reduce constantly the IT with the increase of the concentration for both oils (∼4.2 mN/m at 6 % w/w). Both WPI and MS-emulsions presented similar droplet size (∼2.0 µm), but WPI presented higher surface charge of WPI-emulsions (-45 mV) than MS-emulsions (-30 mV). This study allowed to gain a consistent understanding of structure-property relationships on the use of SAC in emulsions.

Microencapsulation performance of Fe-peptide complexes and stability monitoring.

Iron supplementation presents several challenges, such as low bioavailability, high reactivity and a metallic taste. Iron absorption is enhanced by complexing with organic compounds such as peptides, while microencapsulation is an alternative to protect the mineral and mask undesirable flavors. Fe-peptide complexes were obtained by reacting small whey peptides (< 5 kDa) with iron (from ferrous sulfate) under controlled conditions. Maltodextrin (MD) and polydextrose (PD) were used as the wall materials and spray dried to form particles containing the active Fe-peptide. The conditions of enzymatic hydrolysis with the bacterial endopeptidase produced from Bacillus licheniformis were optimized to achieve a high degree of cleavage (~20% degree of hydrolysis). The physicochemical and structural properties of the microparticles were evaluated during storage (365 days). The encapsulation process showed high efficiency (84%) and process yield (≥90%). The iron dialyzability and uptake by Caco-2 cells from microparticles were at least 3-fold higher than the ferrous sulfate. The water content and water activity varied from 3.0 to 5.7% and from 0.29 to 0.44, respectively, after 365 days. SEM revealed morphological stability during storage and EDX showed the presence of iron ions at the surface of the microparticles, which could be free or complexed. The microparticles can be an alternative of higher bioavailable iron besides the further protection and iron stability which the microparticles may present when compared with the Fe-peptide complexes. Future studies could demonstrate the feasibility of applying these microparticles in formulation for food supplementation, concerning bioavailability and sensory aspects.

Microencapsulation of green tea polyphenols by ionic gelation and spray chilling methods.

The consumption of teas has been increasing with the dissemination of information regarding the health benefits of its constituents. Obtaining food products with healthier profiles is already a reality for industry with the increasing development of new functional ingredients, including the use of tea and its derivatives (extracts). This work aimed to evaluate the encapsulation of green tea extract powder in lipid microparticles (LMP) by the spray chilling method and in ionic gelation microparticles (IGMP) by the ionic gelation method to obtain polyphenol-rich water insoluble components. Microparticles were adequately obtained in both methods, with typical physical characteristics consistent with the results in literature results, 83.5 ± 2.8% encapsulation efficiency for LMP and 72.6 ± 0.4% for IGMP, and antioxidant activity (IC50 µg/mL) of 33,169.4 ± 123.8 (IGMP) and 2099.7 ± 35.3 (LMP). The microparticles samples were considered suitable as ingredients for add polyphenols in foods.

Incorporation of microencapsulated hydrophilic and lipophilic nutrients into foods by using ultrasound as a pre-treatment for drying: A prospective study.

The present work proposes using the ultrasound technology to incorporate microencapsulated nutrients during pre-treatments for drying of food products. Both hydrophilic and lipophilic nutrients were evaluated: incorporation of microcapsules of iron (obtained by spray drying using maltodextrin as wall material) and carotenoids (obtained by hot emulsification and solidification using hydrogenated palm oil as wall material). The ultrasound pre-treatment was applied in water and ethanol, where the microcapsules were dispersed, and food samples were immersed. Pumpkin and apple were selected as suitable food material to perform the iron and carotenoid incorporation, respectively. Ultrasound allowed more homogeneous iron incorporation in pumpkin. The iron content increased more than 1000% in pre-treated samples compared to control. In the same manner, carotenoid content increased in about 430% when ultrasound was applied. After drying, the carotenoid content decreased by 65% in control samples. However, better carotenoid retention was obtained after drying in ultrasound processed samples. The results show that pre-treatment with ultrasound can be used to incorporate nutrients into the food matrix, increasing not only the incorporated quantity but also promoting their preservation. Nevertheless, future studies must be performed to determine the nutrient bioavailability and bioaccessibility.

The influence of the storage temperature on the stability of lipid microparticles containing ginger oleoresin.

Ginger oleoresin (GO) can be encapsulated within a protective lipid matrix in order to facilitate handling, provide protection against the external environment or promote the stability of GO compounds. The aim of this study was to verify the ability of solid lipid microparticles (SLMs) containing GO (10-20% w/w) to maintain or improve the stability of ginger compounds, by monitoring SLMs' characteristics during storage at different temperatures (25 and 40 °C). The lipids matrix of SLMs were composed by stearic acid (90, 80, 75, 65% w/w) and oleic acid (15% w/w), The crystalline structure of the particles after 84 days of storage did not present any polymorphic alterations, while presenting spherical form upon scanning by electron microscopy. SLMs containing oleic acid showed degradation of 6-gingerol when stored at 40 °C. Major volatile compounds had better stability in particles containing oleic acid. Kinetics of volatiles release resulted in a diffusion mechanism. SLMs showed better stability of GO compounds during storage at 25 °C than un-encapsulated GO and could, therefore, improve its distribution in foods due to its conversion to powder.

Production and characterization of alginate microparticles obtained by ionic gelation and electrostatic adsorption of concentrated soy protein / Produção e caracterização de micropartículas de alginato obtidas por gelificação iônica e adsorção eletrostática de concentrado proteico de soja

ABSTRACT: Microencapsulation is used for protection and release of bioactive compounds. Combination of encapsulation methods allows the production of matrices with better technological properties compared to the application of one of the methods alone. Use of ionic gelation produces porous microparticles, and coating it with a protein, by electrostatic interaction, may contribute to a better protection of the active compound. The objective of the research was to produce alginate microparticles (AG) through ionic gelation and to coat them with soluble protein from soy protein concentrate. Two factors were studied, calcium concentration during ionic gelation (0.8, 1.6 and 2.4% w/w) and pH (3.5 and 7.0) of the protein solution for electrostatic interaction. Zeta potential (ZP) of biopolymers and microparticles were determined. Microparticles were characterized according to its morphology, average size and size distribution, as well as protein adsorption. Microparticles presented (154-334μm) multinuclear distribution of active compound, continuous and smooth surface, with a great standard deviation considering average size. The calcium concentration did not influence the protein adsorption on microparticles.The pH used in protein adsorption showed significant effect, with higher adsorption occurring at pH 3.5 (6.5 to 6.7% w/w, dry basis,db, of adsorbed protein) compared to pH 7.0 (<2.0% w/w, db, of adsorbed protein) indicating that electrostatic interaction was determinant for the protein coating. At this situation, ionic gelation microparticles and proteins presented ZP with opposite charges (pH>pKa AG<Isoelectric point, IP).

RESUMO: A microencapsulação é utilizada para a proteção de compostos bioativos e controle de sua liberação. A combinação de métodos de encapsulação permite a obtenção de matrizes com melhores propriedades tecnológicas em relação às técnicas utilizadas individualmente. Na gelificação iônica são produzidas micropartículas porosas, e o recobrimento por interação eletrostática com uma proteína permite a obtenção de micropartículas mais protetivas. O objetivo do trabalho foi produzir micropartículas de alginato (AG) através da gelificação iônica e recobri-las com proteínas solúveis de concentrado proteico de soja. Dois fatores foram estudados, o teor de cálcio utilizado na gelificação iônica (0,8,1,6 e 2,4% m/m) e o pH (3,5 e 7,0) para o recobrimento eletrostático com uma camada proteica. Os potenciais zeta (PZ) dos biopolímeros e das micropartículas foram determinados. As micropartículas foram caracterizadas quanto a morfologia, tamanho médio e sua distribuição e quanto ao teor de proteína adsorvida nas situações estudadas. As micropartículas obtidas apresentaram-se (154-334μm) com recheio distribuído de forma multinuclear, com superfície continua e visualmente lisas, porém com variação grande no tamanho médio. A variação do teor de cálcio não foi significativa na adsorção proteica. O pH utilizado na adsorção proteica foi significativo, com adsorções muito maiores em pH 3,5 (6,5 - 6,7% m/m de proteína adsorvida, base seca) comparado ao pH 7,0 (<2,0% m/m de adsorção proteica, base seca), indicando que a interação eletrostática foi determinante no recobrimento proteico. Nesta situação, micropartículas AG e a proteína apresentam PZ com cargas opostas (pH>pKa AG<ponto isoeletrico, PI).

Composição centesimal e valor protéico de levedura residual da fermentação etanólica e de seus derivados / Centesimal composition and protein nutritive value of yeast from ethanol fermentation and of yeast derivatives

Este trabalho teve por objetivo promover a autólise e o fracionamento da levedura (Saccharomyces sp.) para produção de autolisado e extrato, bem como para produção de concentrado protéico fosforilado, a partir da levedura residual das destilarias de álcool etílico. Foram estudados a composição centesimal, o perfil de aminoácidos essenciais e o valor protéico dos três derivados comparativamente à levedura íntegra não processada. Proteína e carboidrato (fibra alimentar) foram os principais componentes da levedura íntegra e do autolisado. No extrato e no concentrado protéico predominaram proteína e minerais (cinzas). O autolisado e a levedura íntegra apresentaram os melhores índices de aminoácidos essenciais, seguidos pelo concentrado protéico e pelo extrato. A digestibilidade da proteína variou de 68 por cento para a levedura íntegra a 91 por cento para o extrato. Os índices de quociente de utilização líquida da proteína variaram de 2,1 para a levedura íntegra a 4,3 para a caseína (referência). Não houve diferença estatística no quociente de utilização líquida da proteína entre o autolisado (4,1), o extrato (3,9) e o concentrado protéico (4,2). O concentrado protéico promoveu o maior crescimento no período (21 dias), seguido do extrato e o autolisado. As células íntegras apresentaram a menor capacidade para promover crescimento em rato.

Determinação do valor proteíco de células integras, autolisado total e extrato de levedura (saccharomyces sp) / Determination of protein value of integral cells, total aotolisate and yeast extract (saccharomyces sp)

Biomassa de células de levedura, limpa e desamargada, bem como seus derivados autolisado total e extrato de levedura, desidratados em spray dryer foram analisados por ensaio biológico com ratos da linhagem Wistar, em crescimento, para determinação do valor nutritivo da proteína e avaliação do impscto da utilização desses produtos, como única fonte de proteína, nos níveis séricos de triacilgliceróis, colesterol total, ácido úrico de Lipoproteína de Alta Densidade-colesterol. Células íntegras, autolisado total e extrato de levedura não diferiram estatisticamente (p <- 0,05) quanto aos índices do quociente de eficiência proteíca e quociente de eficiência líquida, significativamente inferiores aos da caseína. A capacidade de produzir crescimento foi maior para a caseína, seguida das células íntegras, do extrato e do autolisado total, em ordem decrescente. A utilização líquida da proteína das dietas confirma os resultados de quociente de eficiência proteíca e quociente de eficiência protéica líquida, em que os produtos de levedura não diferiram entre si, mas foram inferiores à caseina. No geral, o valor nutritivo da proteína de levedura variou na faixa de 80-85 por cento da caseína. os níveis séricos de ácido úrico se elevaram nos ratos em dietas de levedura, permanecendo porém na faixa considerada de normalidade. A dieta com autolisado total produziu uma redução na concentração sanguínea de triacilgliceróis, o que não ocorreu nas demais dietas. Para colesterol total e Lipoproteína de Alta Densidade-colesterol, todas as dietas de levedura se comportaram semelhantemente, não diferindo entre si e do controle de caseína

Valor nutritivo da biomassa de células íntegras, do autolisado e do extrato de levedura originária de cervejaria / Nutritive value of biomass of integral cells, autolisate and extract and yeast cells from beer

Esta pesquisa teve como principal objetivo verificar a capacidade da levedura e seus derivados, autolisado e extrato, em manter o crescimento de ratos recém-desmamados, quando usados em substituição parcial a uma dieta-padrão ideal. Usou-se substituição de 10, 20 ou 30 por cento da dieta-padrão recomendada pelo American Institute of Nutrition -- 93G, por uma mistura (amido de milho + produto de levedura + óleo de soja), mantendo as dietas modificadas isoprotéicas (20 por cento proteína) e isocalóricas. Com as substituições, os produtos de levedura participaram das dietas nas concentrações de 4, 8 ou 12 por cento, respectivamente. As dietas substituídas, contendo diferentes proporções de produtos de levedura, provocaram crescimento dos ratos igual ou superior ao da dieta-padrão. O ritmo de crescimento foi proporcional ao aumento da participação dos produtos de levedura. Os índices séricos de ácido úrico, uréia e atividade de transaminases não revelaram sintomas de intoxicação pelo uso dos produtos de levedura