Impact of thermal processing and emulsification methods on spice oleoresin blending: Insights for flavor release and emulsion stability.

This study investigated the effect of heat treatments on the pungency and aroma profiles of a spice oleoresin blend, and the emulsion stability with different surfactants, encapsulating agents, and homogenization mechanisms. Total pungency increased with heat until 120 °C and drastically reduced at 150 °C. Thermal processing induced aroma release, and 46 compounds were identified at 90 °C, predominantly comprising sesquiterpenes. Tween 80 dispersed the highest oleoresin mass (6.21 ± 0.31 mg/mL) and reported the maximum emulsion stability index. The oleoresin percentage significantly influenced the emulsion stability, with 1% oleoresin producing the most stable emulsion. High-pressure homogenization applied on gum Arabic resulted in a greater encapsulation efficiency, exceeding 86%, and the lowest creaming index (4.70 ± 0.06%), while Hi-Cap 100 produced the best flow properties. The findings provide insights into incorporating lipophilic spice oleoresin blends in aqueous food systems and understanding the release of flavor compounds during thermal food processing.

Effect of supplemented paprika oleoresin solution on the physicochemical properties and shelf-life of boiled pork sausages with nitrite reduction.

Objective: This study was performed to evaluate the quality characteristics of reduced-nitrite boiled pork sausages (BPSs) with paprika oleoresin solution (POS) to compensate for the reduced sodium nitrite (NaNO2). Methods: POS was prepared by diluting paprika oleoresin with sunflower seed oil at a ratio of 1:20. BPSs were subjected to four different treatments: reference (REF), BPS added with 150 ppm NaNO2; control (CTL), BPS added with 37.5 ppm NaNO2; treatment 1 (TRT1), BPS added with 37.5 ppm NaNO2 and 0.1% POS; treatment 2 (TRT2), BPS added with 75 ppm NaNO2 and 0.1% POS). Results: The pH values of CTL were lower than those of other treatments. The a* values of TRT1 were higher than those of CTL, and those of REF were lower than those of TRT1 and TRT2. The b* values of TRT1 and TRT2 were higher than those of REF and CTL. The total plate counts of CTL were the highest among all treatments, and Enterobacteriaceae counts of CTL and TRT1 on the 14th day were higher than those of REF and TRT2. Conclusion: The combination of 75 ppm NaNO2 and 0.1% POS to BPS during storage had an antimicrobial effect similar to that of adding 150 ppm NaNO2. Thus, POS can be used to reduce the use of NaNO2 in meat products.

Preparation and Characterization of Prickly Ash Peel Oleoresin Microcapsules and Flavor Retention Analysis.

Prickly ash peel oleoresin (PPO) is a highly concentrated oil of Prickly ash essential oil and has a stronger aroma. However, its low water solubility, high volatility, difficulty in transport and storage, and decomposition by light, heat, and oxygen limit its wider application. To solve this problem, this study used freeze-drying or spray-drying, with soybean protein isolate (SPI) or gum Arabic (GA), combined with aqueous maltodextrin (MD) as the encapsulating agents to prepare four types of PPO microcapsules (POMs). Spray-dried microcapsules with GA as the encapsulating agent achieved a high encapsulation efficiency (EE) of 92.31 ± 0.31%, improved the thermal stability of the PPO, and had spherical morphology. (Headspace solid-phase microextraction/gas chromatography-mass spectrometry) HS-SPME/GC-MS detected 41 volatile compounds in PPO; of these, linalool, ß-myrcene, sabinene, and D-limonene were identified as key flavor components. Principal component analysis (PCA) effectively distinguished the significant differences in flavor between PPO, spray-dried SPI/MD microcapsules (SS), and spray-dried GA/MD microcapsules (SG). During 15 days of air-exposure, the loss of flavor from SG (54.62 ± 0.54%) was significantly lower than PPO (79.45 ± 1.45%) and SS (57.55 ± 0.36%). During the air-exposure period, SG consistently had the highest antioxidant capacity, making it desirable for PPO packaging, and expanding its potential applications within the food industry.

Solid Lipid Nanoparticles Based on Babassu Oil and Copaiba Oleoresin: A Promising Approach for Prostate Cancer Therapy.

Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) represent promising nanostructures for drug delivery systems. This study successfully synthesized SLNs containing different proportions of babassu oil (BBS) and copaiba oleoresin (COPA) via the emulsification-ultrasonication method. Before SLN synthesis, the identification and quantification of methyl esters, such as lauric acid and ß-caryophyllene, were performed via GC-MS analysis. These methyl esters were used as chemical markers and assisted in encapsulation efficiency experiments. A 22 factorial design with a center point was employed to assess the impact of stearic acid and Tween 80 on particle hydrodynamic diameter (HD) and polydispersity index (PDI). Additionally, the effects of temperature (8 ± 0.5 °C and 25 ± 1.0 °C) and time (0, 7, 15, 30, 40, and 60 days) on HD and PDI values were investigated. Zeta potential (ZP) measurements were utilized to evaluate nanoparticle stability, while transmission electron microscopy provided insights into the morphology and nanometric dimensions of the SLNs. The in vitro cytotoxic activity of the SLNs (10 µg/mL, 30 µg/mL, 40 µg/mL, and 80 µg/mL) was evaluated using the MTT assay with PC-3 and DU-145 prostate cancer cell lines. Results demonstrated that SLNs containing BBS and COPA in a 1:1 ratio exhibited a promising cytotoxic effect against prostate cancer cells, with a percentage of viable cells of 68.5% for PC-3 at a concentration of 30 µg/mL and 48% for DU-145 at a concentration of 80 µg/mL. These findings underscore the potential therapeutic applications of SLNs loaded with BBS and COPA for prostate cancer treatment.

Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) Spray: An Assessment of Respiratory Health and its Management Following Accidental and Deliberate Exposures.

Introduced into law enforcement in 1976, the oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray has been labeled as one of the most significant and radical developments in law enforcement. However, epidemiological research on OC health effects is deficient, receiving little public support. The major responses to acute exposure to OC spray can be found in the pulmonary system. The molecular mechanism(s) involved in the action of capsaicinoids, the active constituents in OC, are complex cascades of reactions which end up in necrosis or apoptosis. OC may also damage and deplete biological redox systems in the epithelial lining fluids and within cells and mitochondria, modifying structural proteins and nucleic acids and leading to enzyme inactivation. Since there are no characteristic laboratory tests available for identification or confirmation of OC exposure, and on the basis of prevailing data, reassessment of the health risks of OC exposures in vulnerable populations and in-depth study of the molecular mechanics of receptors is the need of the hour for the development of effective countermeasures. This review aims to consider evidence for adverse effects of OC spray used in ways comparable to their application by law enforcement personnel and civilians, with possible treatment recommendations that are precedent for improved management.

Structural Characteristic, Strong Antioxidant, and Anti-Gastric Cancer Investigations on an Oleoresin from Ginger (Zingiber officinale var. roscoe).

It is known that ginger oleoresin contains various active components and possesses bioactivities. In this study, ginger oleoresin from Chinese ginger (Zingiber officinale var. roscoe) was extracted using a CO2 supercritical fluid extraction method with a 0.52% yield (g/g), based on dry weights. Zingiberene with a content of 51.6 mg/g was the main volatile in the ginger oleoresin. In total, 17 phenolic compounds were identified, and their contents were calculated as 587.54 mg/g. Among them, a new gingertriol was detected in the Z. officinale. Antioxidant activity tests showed that the ginger oleoresin and six gingerols exhibited strong scavenging free radical activities, and the zingerone exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity, with IC50 values of 11.3 µg/mL for the 2, 2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical and 19.0 µg/mL for the 2, 2'-amino-di (2-ethyl-benzothiazoline sulphonic acid-6) ammonium salt radical cation, comparable to vitamin C. Ginger oleoresin inhibits HGC-27 human gastric cancer cell proliferation at a rate of 4.05~41.69% and induces cell apoptosis at a rate of 10.4~20.9%. The Western blot result demonstrated that the AKT signaling pathway has the potential mechanism of ginger oleoresin acting on HGC-27 cells. The anticancer potential of the gingerol standards on HGC-27 cells followed the order of 8-gingerol > 6-gingerol > 10-gingerol > zingerone. The different antioxidant and anticancer potentials of the ginger phenolic compounds could be attributed to the presence of hydroxyl groups in the unbranched 1-alkyl chain and the length of carbon side chain. Consequently, ginger oleoresin shows substantial antioxidant and anticancer therapeutic potential and can be used for novel food-drug development.

Oral soluble shell prepared from OSA starch incorporated with tea polyphenols for the microencapsulation of Sichuan pepper oleoresin: Characterization, flavor stability, release mechanisms and its application in mooncake.

The market share of Sichuan pepper oleoresin (SPO) in the flavor industry is increasing steadily; however, its high volatility, low water solubility, and poor stability continue to pose significant challenges to application. The microencapsulation prepared by emulsion embedding and spray drying is considered as an effective technique to solve the above problems. Sodium octenyl succinate starch (OSA starch) and tea polyphenols (TPs) were used to develop OSA-TPs complex as encapsulants for SPO to prepare orally soluble microcapsules. And the optimum doping of TPs was determined. SPO microcapsules have good properties with high encapsulation efficiency up to 88.13 ± 1.48% and high payload up to 41.58 ± 1.86% with low water content and high heat resistance. The binding mechanism of OSA starch with TPs and its regulation mechanism and effect on SPOs were further analyzed and clarified. The binding mechanism between OSA starch and TPs was clarified in further analyses. The OSA-TPs complexes enhanced the rehydration, release in food matrix and storage stability of SPO, and exhibited good sensory immediacy. Flavor-improved mooncakes were successfully developed, achieving the combination of mooncake flavor and SPO flavor. This study provided a valuable way to prepare flavoring microcapsules suitable for the catering industry, opened up the combined application of SPO and bakery ingredients, and was of great practical value and significance for improving the processing quality of flavor foods, driving the development of the SPO industry, and enhancing the national dietary experience.

Effect of cyclodextrin-complexed lyophilized nanosuspension of Nigella sativa seeds oleoresin on chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS)-induced depression in mice.

Depression is a prevalent global health concern necessitating alternative approaches to conventional antidepressant medications due to its associated adverse effects. Nigella sativa (NS) is recognized for its potential as an antidepressant, offering a promising solution with fewer side effects. This study investigated the antidepressant efficacy of cyclodextrin-complexed lyophilized nanosuspension of NS oleoresin (NSOR) in a murine model of chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS)-induced depression. This study sought to evaluate and contrast the antidepressant potential of the nano-NSOR with that of the NS ethanolic extract (NSEE). The prepared nano-NSOR was characterized physicochemically and evaluated for in vitro drug release and in vivo antidepressant activity. The particle size of nano-NSOR was determined to be 164.6 nm. In vitro drug release studies suggested the higher drug release from nano-NSOR (90.15 % after 72 h) compared to the native NSOR (59.55 % after 72 h). Furthermore, nano-NSOR exhibited a more pronounced antidepressant effect than NSEE in the context of CUMS-induced depression. This study highlights a potential alternative for managing depression, addressing the need for improved antidepressant treatments with reduced side effects. These results suggest that nano-NSOR ameliorates CUMS-induced depression by modulating neurotransmitter levels, reducing inflammation, and enhancing neuroprotection.

Copaifera spp. oleoresins and two isolated compounds (ent-kaurenoic and ent-polyalthic acid) inhibit Toxoplasma gondii growth in vitro.

Toxoplasmosis affects about one-third of the world's population. The disease treatment methods pose several side effects and do not efficiently eliminate the parasite, making the search for new therapeutic approaches necessary. We aimed to assess the anti-Toxoplasma gondii activity of four Copaifera oleoresins (ORs) and two isolated diterpene acids, named ent-kaurenoic and ent-polyalthic acid. We used HeLa cells as an experimental model of toxoplasmosis. Uninfected and infected HeLa cells were submitted to the treatments, and the parasite intracellular proliferation, cytokine levels and ROS production were measured. Also, tachyzoites were pre-treated and the parasite invasion was determined. Finally, an in silico analysis was performed to identify potential parasite targets. Our data show that the non-cytotoxic concentrations of ORs and diterpene acids controlled the invasion and proliferation of T. gondii in HeLa cells, thus highlighting the possible direct action on parasites. In addition, some compounds tested controlled parasite proliferation in an irreversible manner. An additional and non-exclusive mechanism of action involves the modulation of host cell components, by affecting the upregulation of the IL-6. Additionally, molecular docking suggested that ent-polyalthic acid has a high affinity for the active site of the TgCDPK1 protein. Copaifera ORs have great antiparasitic activity against T. gondii, and this effect can be partially explained by the presence of the isolated compounds ent-kaurenoic and ent-polyalthic acid.

Capsaicin as a Dietary Additive for Dairy Cows: A Meta-Analysis on Performance, Milk Composition, Digestibility, Rumen Fermentation, and Serum Metabolites.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with capsaicin (CAP) on productive performance, milk composition, nutrient digestibility, ruminal fermentation, and serum metabolites of dairy cows using a meta-analytical approach. The database included 13 studies, from which the response variables of interest were obtained. Data were analyzed using a random effects model, and results were expressed as weighted mean differences between treatments supplemented with and without CAP. Dietary supplementation with CAP increased (p < 0.05) dry matter intake, milk yield, feed efficiency, milk fat yield, and milk fat content. However, CAP supplementation did not affect (p > 0.05) milk protein and lactose yield, milk urea nitrogen, or milk somatic cell count. Greater (p < 0.05) apparent digestibility of dry matter and crude protein was observed in response to the dietary inclusion of CAP. Likewise, supplementation with CAP increased (p < 0.05) the rumen concentration of total volatile fatty acids. In contrast, CAP supplementation did not affect (p > 0.05) ruminal pH or the ruminal concentration of ammonia nitrogen, acetate, propionate, and butyrate. In blood serum, CAP supplementation increased (p < 0.05) the glucose concentration and decreased (p < 0.05) the concentration of non-esterified fatty acids. However, CAP supplementation did not affect (p > 0.05) the serum concentration of urea and beta-hydroxybutyrate. In conclusion, capsaicin can be used as a dietary additive to improve the productive performance, milk composition, and nutrient digestibility in dairy cows and, at the same time, improve the ruminal concentration of total volatile fatty acids and serum levels of glucose and non-esterified fatty acids.

Capsicum annuum Oleoresin Nanoemulgel - Design Characterization and In vitro Investigation of Anticancer and Antimicrobial Activities.

BACKGROUND: The use of naturally occurring bioactive materials is getting great attention owing to their safety and environmental properties. Oily compounds, known as oleoresins, are expected to provide an important source for the natural products industry aiming to develop novel treatments for skin conditions. In this work, Capsicum annuum oleoresin nanoemulgel formulations have been prepared and investigated for their antibacterial and anticancer properties. METHODOLOGY: Several C. annuum oleoresin nanoemulgel formulations were prepared by incorporating a Carbopol 940 gel in a self-nanoemulsifying nanoemulsion consisting of C. annuum, tween 80, and span 80. The systems were characterized for particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, and rheology. The in vitro antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of the optimum formulation were evaluated. RESULTS: The selected formulation is composed of 40% tween, 10% span 80, and 40% C. annuum oleoresin. This formulation produced a stable nanoemulsion with a narrow PDI value of 0.179 ± 0.08 and a droplet size of 104.0 ± 2.6 nm. Results of the in vitro antimicrobial studies indicated high potency of the systems against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (zone of inhibition of 29 ± 1.9 mm), E. coli (33 ± 0.9 mm), K. pneumonia (30 ± 1.4 mm), and C. albicans (21 ± 1.5 mm), as compared to the reference antibiotic, ampicillin (18 ± 1.4 mm against K. pneumonia), and antifungal agent, fluconazole (12 ± 0.1 mm against C. albicans). Furthermore, cytotoxicity results, expressed as IC50 values, revealed that the oleoresin and its nanoemulgel had the best effects against the HepG2 cell line (IC50 value of 79.43 µg/mL for the nanoemulgel) and MCF7 (IC50 value of 57.54 µg/mL), and the most potent effect was found against 3T3 (IC50 value of 45.7 µg/m- L). On the other side, the system did not substantially exhibit activity against By-61 and Hela. CONCLUSION: C. annuum oleoresin and its nanoemulgel can be considered valuable sources for the discovery of new antibacterial, antifungal, and anticancer compounds in the pharmaceutical industry, especially due to their potent activity against various cancer cell lines as well as bacterial and fungal strains.

Post-harvest profile, processing and value addition of dried red chillies (Capsicum annum L.).

Chilli has dominated and retained an important place amongst the spices worldwide. They are dried ripe fruits intuitively consumed as a spice, condiment, culinary, and medicinal purposes. The global consumption pattern is intriguing because of the inherent pungency, aroma, taste, spicy flavour, and therapeutic properties. Predominantly, the colour and pungency decide the quality features and are actively responsible for organized marketing and trade of the dried chillies. India is one of the leading producers and exporters of chilli. The chemical composition of the chillies varies substantially with agro-climatic zones and post-harvest management strategies. The quantum of post-harvest loss of 25-35% hampers the farmer's income and affects the wholesale/retail marketing. This review paper is intended to provide a deep insight into the advancements in various post-harvest unit operations of dried red chillies. A detailed overview of post-harvest operations (drying, grading, destalking, packaging, storage) and processing techniques for value-added products (chilli powder, dried flakes, seeds, oleoresin) is discussed in this paper. The presented information will help the researchers and the industry personnel engaged in the post-harvest processing and value addition of dried red chillies.

Development and preclinical assessment of nanoemulgel loaded with phytoconstituents for the management of rheumatoid arthritis.

In recent years, natural ingredients have gained importance for therapeutic treatment due to their minimal toxicity. However, the delivery of these phytoconstituents poses a challenge to provide better efficacy. Current research reports the development of nanoemulgel (NEG) loaded with ginger oleoresin (GOR) and lipid guggul extract (LGE) for the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The nanoemulsion (NE) was developed using the spontaneous emulsification technique by the pseudo-ternary method. The optimized nanoemulsion exhibited globule size of 16.08 ± 2.55 nm, PDI of 0.187 ± 0.06, and zeta potential of - 22.4 ± 0.31 mV. The cumulative release from in vitro diffusion studies at pH 7.4 was about 99.72 ± 3.47%, 57.98 ± 2.11%, and 86.42 ± 5.13% of 6-gingerol, E-guggulsterone, and Z-guggulsterone respectively at the end of 24 h. The ex vivo studies on porcine ear skin showed sustained release with 92.8 ± 3.21% for 6-gingerol, 55.61 ± 0.91% for E-guggulsterone, and 84.2 ± 4.22% for Z-guggulsterone released at the end of 24 h. The cell culture studies on RAW 264.7 cells indicated a robust inhibition of LPS-induced IL-6 and TNF-α production indicating its efficacy in the management of RA. The preclinical studies on male Wistar rats suggest that the developed NEG exhibited a comparable decrease in paw edema inflammation as compared to the marketed diclofenac sodium gel. These encouraging results demonstrate the potential of the developed nanoemulgel containing combination of GOR and LGE for the management of RA.

Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. tree oleoresin-induced antinociception recruits µ1- and κ -opioid receptors in the ventrolateral columns of the periaqueductal gray matter.

Popular medicine has been using oleoresin from several species of copaíba tree for the treatment of various diseases and its clinical administration potentially causes antinociception. Electrical stimulation of ventrolateral (vlPAG) and dorsolateral (dlPAG) columns of the periaqueductal gray matter also causes antinociception. The aim this study was to verify the antinociceptive effect of oleoresin extracted from Copaifera langsdorffii tree and to test the hypothesis that oleoresin-induced antinociception is mediated by µ1- and κ-opioid receptors in the vlPAG and dlPAG. Nociceptive thresholds were determined by the tail-flick test in Wistar rats. The copaíba tree oleoresin was administered at different doses (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) through the gavage technique. After the specification of the most effective dose of copaíba tree oleoresin (200 mg/kg), rats were pretreated with either the µ1-opioid receptor selective antagonist naloxonazine (at 0.05, 0.5 and 5 µg/ 0.2 µl in vlPAG, and 5 µg/ 0.2 µl in dlPAG) or the κ-opioid receptor selective antagonist nor-binaltorphimine (at 1, 3 and 9 nmol/ 0.2 µl in vlPAG, and 9 nmol/ 0.2 µl in dlPAG). The blockade of µ1 and κ opioid receptors of vlPAG decreased the antinociception produced by copaíba tree oleoresin. However, the blockade of these receptors in dlPAG did not alter copaíba tree oleoresin-induced antinociception. These data suggest that vlPAG µ1 and κ opioid receptors are critically recruited in the antinociceptive effect produced by oleoresin extracted from Copaifera langsdorffii.

Influence of standard culture conditions and effect of oleoresin from the microalga Haematococcus pluvialis on splenic cells from healthy Balb/c mice - a pilot study.

In this work, we used splenocytes from healthy mice to study the effects of the two most commonly used cell culture media (A, B) with different compositions of redox reagents. The incubation of cells for 24 h resulted in a significant decrease in viability and metabolic activity of splenocytes, and the negative effects of incubation in medium B were more pronounced. In standard conditions, oxidative stress in cells was manifested by reduced mitochondrial potential, and this effect correlated with the transition of 58.3% of cells to the early stage of apoptosis under reducing conditions of medium A and up to 66.1% of cells under super-reducing conditions in medium B, suggesting altered cell physiology. High levels of ROS/RNS activated transcription factor Nrf2, superoxide dismutase 1, and catalase. The higher mRNA levels of these genes were under the conditions of medium B, whose super-reducing environment in combination with the environment of conventional incubators proved to be less suitable for the cells compared to medium A. Treatment of the cells with a lower concentration (10 µg/ml) of oleoresin obtained from the microalga H. pluvialis partially eliminated the negative effects of cultivation. Higher concentration of oleoresin (40 µg/ml) was slightly cytotoxic, due to the significant antioxidant effect of astaxanthin, the main bioactive component of the extract, which eliminated most of the ROS/RNS acting as signalling molecules. This study shows that the standard culture conditions do not reflect the physiological in vivo cell conditions; therefore, they are not generally suitable for incubation of all cell types.

Rosin from Pinus pinaster Portuguese forests shows a regular profile of resin acids.

Pinus pinaster forestry occupies >20% of the forest ecosystem area in the continental territory of Portugal with a high impact on the national economy. This species' major derived non-wood product is oleoresin, the raw material for rosin production. Rosin comprises mainly a blend of resin acids and has broad industrial and pharmaceutical applications. Oleoresin production in Portugal has been progressively reduced due to low-cost producers in other countries; currently, it reaches only 2% of the existing P. pinaster trees. To support this value chain, the chemical fingerprint of rosin derived from the national forest requires focused analysis. In the present study, we collected oleoresin within seven geographically distinct pure P. pinaster forests in two consecutive collection years. A high-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) method was used to quantify the diversity of resin acids in the corresponding rosin samples. Overall, the acquired data highlighted that the profile of resin acids in P. pinaster rosin produced in Portugal is highly regular, regardless of the forest location, having as the major constituents abietic acid and dehydroabietic acid. The diversity of resin acids is possibly influenced, to a minor extent, by some edaphoclimatic factors.

Unleashing the bioactive potential of Capsicum chinense cv Bhut Jolokia: a comparison of microwave- and ultrasound-mediated extraction techniques for lipophilic capsaicin.

This study investigated the extraction of capsaicin from Capsicum chinense cv Bhut Jolokia using rice bran oil (RBO) as a 'green solvent' via microwave- and ultrasound-mediated techniques (MME and UME) as an alternative to hazardous organic solvents. Extraction conditions were optimised using MME at 180 and 300 W for 2 and 8 min and UME at 300 and 400 W for 10 and 30 min. The maximum capsaicin yield obtained was 12.47 mg/mL, with a corresponding gamma oryzanol content of 8.46 mg/mL. The peroxide value of the extract (capsaicin-infused RBO) was found to be within permissible limits as per Codex Alimentarius specifications. Results strongly suggest the potential of RBO as a novel solvent for extraction of capsaicin. The capsaicin-enriched oil can be used as a functional food ingredient due to its health-promoting properties.

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.

Impact of cooking methods on the quality, sensory and flavor compounds of Sichuan pepper oleoresin.

Sichuan pepper oleoresin (SPO) is highly appreciated by the food industry as well as consumers for flavor. To understand the overall flavor of SPO and how the quality changes during practical application, this study investigated the effects of five cooking methods on the quality, sensory, and flavor compounds of SPO. The differences in physicochemical properties and sensory evaluation responded to potential changes in SPO after cooking. The SPO after different cooking could be clearly distinguished by E-nose and PCA. Based on the qualitative analysis of volatile compounds, 13 compounds were screened by OPLS-DA that had the ability to explain above differences. Further analysis of taste substances revealed that pungent substances (hydroxy-α-sanshool) were significantly reduced in SPO after cooking. And the conclusion that the degree of bitterness significantly increased was predicted by E-tongue. The PLS-R model was developed to achieve correlation analysis between aroma molecules and sensory quality.

Monitoring trends in lacrimator exposures using the National Poison Data System: 2000-2021.

CONTEXT: Lacrimators are used by individuals for personal defense and by police for crowd control during periods of civil unrest. Increased public awareness about their use has raised concerns about their application and safety. OBJECTIVE: To characterize patterns of lacrimator exposures in the United States, we describe temporal trends of calls to poison centers by demographics, substances, medical outcomes, exposure sites, and scenarios. METHODS: A retrospective data analysis was performed for all single-substance lacrimator exposures in the United States reported to the National Poison Data System between 2000 and 2021. Descriptive analyses were performed to examine demographic characteristics, geographic distribution, product types and medical outcomes associated with lacrimator exposures. RESULTS: A total of 107,149 lacrimator exposure calls were identified. There was an overall decrease in calls per year, from 6,521 calls in 2000 to 2,520 in 2020, followed by an increase to 3,311 calls in 2021. A declining trend was observed independent of total poison center call volume. Oleoresin capsicum was the most commonly reported substance (81,990, 76.5%). Individuals ages 19 years and younger accounted for 62% of calls, but adults ages 20 and over were more likely to develop major clinical effects (odds ratio 3.03; 95% confidence interval 1.91-4.81; P < 0.0001). The most common exposure site was "own residence," followed by schools. School exposures accounted for 15.8% of exposures in children ages 6-12 years and 37.7% in adolescents. Among calls with documented scenarios, 19.7% involved unintentional exposures due to children accessing lacrimators. CONCLUSION: Lacrimator exposure calls to United States poison centers decreased from 2000 to 2021. Most calls pertain to oleoresin capsicum and individuals ages 19 and younger. Improper storage allowing children to have access to these chemicals, is a common scenario. Public safety interventions such as education about safe storage and use of lacrimators, improved product design, or regulatory changes may prevent unintentional exposures.