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.

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.

As a rich source of polyphenolic compounds, Fagopyrum esculentum Moench herb, is a valuable subject for a numerous industries, such as pharmaceutical, chemical, food, or cosmetic. Given the biological potential that is closely related to the polyphenolic content, this study aimed to develop ecologically suitable cyclodextrin-aided extraction from the aerial parts of F. esculentum. To maximize the polyphenolic content, highly reliable mathematical and statistical method – response surface methodology(RSM) was used for the evaluation of crucial extraction parameters: temperature, extraction time, concentrations of ethanol and two types of cyclodextrins (β-cyclodextrin (β-CD), and (2-hydroxypropyl)-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD)). While temperature and ethanol concentration significantly influenced the total phenolic content (TPC) in both models, the impact of cyclodextrin concentration was observed when HP-β-CD was used. According to the RSM analysis, optimal conditions for the maximization of TPC were noted for the extraction at 80 °C for 40 min, using 50% ethanol and 1.50% HP -β-CD. Thus, under optimized extraction conditions, the measured TPC was 42.16 ± 1.01 mg GAE/g DW, among rutin was the most abundant with content of 29.55 mg/g DW, followed by the quercetin and quercitrin in slightly scarcer content. This study confirmed that cyclodextrin-aided extraction is an ecologically friendly, effective method for the recovery of F. esculentum polyphenolics.