Aim: Microencapsulation of chokeberry extracts was performed in order to improve functionality, stability, and bioavailability of extracted polyphenols. Methods: Chokeberry fruits and juice by-product (waste) extracts were spray-dried by using two carriers, maltodextrin and skimmed milk. Morphological and physicochemical characteristics of the obtained powders were analysed. In vitro simulated digestion model was used as an indicator of polyphenolics bioavailability. Results: The moisture content varied between 3.39 and 4.61%, zeta potential had negative values (35–39 mV), maltodetrin powders were smaller (4.27–5.12 µm) compared to skimmed ones (8.50–11.01 µm). All microparticles exhibited high encapsulation efficiency of total polyphenols and anthocyanins (73–97% and 63–96%, respectively). For both extract types, maltodextrin powders released higher phenolics content compared to skimmed milk. During in vitro digestion, maltodextrin exhibited a higher protective effect on both active compounds. Conclusion: Taking into account the obtained results, chokeberry polyphenols stability might be improved using spray drying technique, and maltodextrin showed better properties.

Recovering the bioactive components from pomegranate peel (PP) in the fruit-processing industry has attracted great attention in terms of minimizing the waste burden, as well as providing a new source of a multitude of functional compounds. The present study aimed to develop a feasible microencapsulation process of PP extract by using pectin and a pectin/2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) blend as coating materials. Microsized powders obtained by a spray drying technique were examined in terms of technological characteristics, exhibiting high powder yield and desirable moisture content, flowability, and cohesive properties. Assuming that the interactions with the used biopolymers occur on the surface hydrophobic domain, their presence significantly improved the thermal stability of the microencapsulated powders up to 200 °C. The health-promoting effects of PP have been associated with its high content in ellagitannins, particularly punicalagin. The obtained PP powders exhibited strong antioxidant and hypoglycemic potential, while an antimicrobial assay revealed their potent activity against Gram-positive bacteria. Additionally, an in vitro release study suggested that the used biopolymers can modify the release of target bioactive compounds, thus establishing a basis for developing an oral-controlled release system. Altogether, biowaste valorization from PP by the production of effective multifunctional microsized powders represents a sustainable way to obtain novel nutraceuticals and/or pharmaceuticals.

Due to its high content of phenolics, black chokeberry has been proposed as a health-promoting material, especially use of chokeberry extract as a food or pharmaceuticals. Chokeberry extract was spray-dried using gum Arabic as a carrier. The optimal conditions for the efficient microencapsulation of chokeberry extract using spray-drying technique have been investigated. The aim of our study was to obtain microparticles with the best potential to improve functionality and stability of extracted chokeberry polyphenols, and to investigate the possibility of microbeads to protect active compounds during simulated digestion process. Morphological characteristics of microbeads were analyzed using FTIR and SEM techniques. Zeta potential, particle size and moisture content were determined. Released total phenolics and total anthocyanins content as well as concentration of individual anthocyanins were quantified before and after digestion process. Microparticles exhibited high encapsulation efficiency up to 87%, and high content of released polyphenols was achieved. After in vitro simulated digestion phenolic compounds decreased by 11-24%, exhibited higher protective effect of gum Arabic. Our results showed that chokeberry microparticles obtained by spray drying method could be useful supplements or functional food.

The potential of the green macroalga Ulva lactuca is increasingly recognized, not only for its environmental benefits, but also for its applications in various industries, including food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. Given this insight, a comprehensive analysis of the chemical profile of U. lactuca from the Adriatic Sea was carried out. The hydrodistillate, rich in (Z,Z,Z)-hexadeca-7,10,13-trienal and hexadecanoic acid, underlines its importance for health-related uses, particularly in lipid metabolism and cellular integrity. Fatty acid analysis showed a predominance of palmitic acid and a favorable n-6/n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid ratio, suggesting that U. lactuca can make a valuable contribution to a balanced diet. In addition, essential amino acids, including leucine, valine, and isoleucine, support its use as a functional ingredient for muscle repair and metabolic health. The ethanol extract contained 56 compounds, including derivatives of fatty acids, phenolic acids, pigments, flavonoids, and steroids. Many of them, such as hexadecasphinganine, azelaic acid, 5-sulfosalicylic acid, and pheophytin a, have proven roles or potentials in promoting human health. These results confirm that U. lactuca is a rich source of bioactive compounds, emphasizing its potential in scientific research and its expanding industrial applications in health, nutrition, and cosmetics.

An anthocyanin-rich blue maize waste product was used for anthocyanin extraction. To preserve bioactive phenolic compounds, a spray-drying technique was employed using conventional wall material maltodextrin (MD), with novel one, hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPBCD). The obtained spray-dried maize extract (SME) and microencapsulates were analyzed based on physicochemical powder properties, chemical analysis, antioxidant activity, and digestibility. The examined microencapsulates demonstrated good powder properties, exhibited a high powder yield (up to 83%), and had a low moisture content (less than 5%). HPBCD and MD + HPBCD combinations demonstrated superior powder properties in the terms of decreasing the time necessary for rehydration (133.25 and 153.8 s, respectively). The mean average particle diameter ranged from 4.72 to 21.33 µm. DSC analyses signified high powder thermal stability, around 200 °C, related to the increasing preservation with biopolymer addition. The total phenolic and anthocyanin compounds ranged from 30,622 to 32,211 mg CE/kg (CE—catechin equivalents) and from 9642 to 12,182 mg CGE/kg (CGE—cyanidin 3-glucoside equivalents), respectively, associated with good bioactive compound protection. Microencapsulates with both carriers (15% MD and 15% HPBCD) had the highest digestibility (73.63%). Our results indicated that the microencapsulates created with the active ingredient and the wall materials (MD and HPBCD) could protect phenolic compounds/anthocyanins against ABTS radicals (63.53 and 62.47 mmol Trolox Eq/kg, respectively).

The aim of the research was to develop microencapsulated powders of bilberry and chokeberry extracts via the spray drying technique. Two biopolymers, pectin alone and in combination with HP-β-CD, were used to preserve the antioxidant, hypoglycemic, photoprotective, and antimicrobial bioactivity of the berry leaf extracts. Moreover, the formed powders were characterized in terms of technological, chemical, and several biological properties. The obtained micro-sized powders (mean average particle diameter from 3.83 to 5.94 µm) demonstrated a process yield of up to 73%. The added biopolymers improved the flowability and cohesive properties of the powders and increased their thermal stability to 170 °C. The total content of polyphenolics in the powders ranged from 323.35 to 367.76 mg GAE/g DW for bilberry and from 186.85 to 227.59 mg GAE/g DW for chokeberry powders; meanwhile, chlorogenic acid was the predominant compound in powders. All samples showed stronger α-glucosidase inhibitory activity (IC50 values ranged from 5.00 to 19.59 µg/mL) compared with the reference standard. The study confirmed that spray drying is a suitable method for the preservation of the polyphenolic-rich extracts, while the addition of carriers has a positive effect on the improvement of microencapsulated powders’ properties.