The uniaxial and coaxial encapsulations of sour cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) concentrate by electrospinning and their in vitro bioaccessibility

Biochemical validation for the therapeutic use of Plumeria rubra in coagulation disorders: a study combining in silico, in vitro, and in vivo approaches

Local healers in South Asia use Plumeria rubra Linn. leaves to treat various coagulation disorders in animals and humans. This study (in silico, in vitro, and in vivo) aimed to explore the pharmacological basis for the possible thrombolytic and anticlotting properties of the leaf extract of P. rubra. Phytoconstituents of P. rubra were dock against coagulation proteins: prothrombin, thromboplastin, and fibrin using in silico approach. Phytochemical screening, HPLC, and antioxidant, anticoagulant, and thrombolytic potential were evaluated using in vitro approach. Healthy male rabbits were divided into five groups (six rabbits each). Groups 1-3 were treated with aqueous-methanolic (30:70%) extract of P. rubra at 200, 300, and 600 mg/mL respectively groups in contrast to the positive and negative control groups. Thrombolytic activity was assessed at doses of 200, 300, and 600 µg/mL in comparison with standard urokinase (600 µg/kg). Platelet adhesion was evaluated at a dose of 200, 300, and 600 µg/mL against adrenaline (2 µM) and acute oral dose toxicity was assessed using in vivo approach. In silico study resulted in an excellent binding affinity and showed significant interaction with coagulation proteins. Phytochemical analysis showed a range of phytochemical classes: alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, glycosides, anthraquinones, and saponins. HPLC analysis confirmed the phytoconstituents plumericin, rutin, kaempferol, and isoquercetin already reported for coagulation disorders. P. rubra showed excellent antioxidant potential and was assessed using DPPH, NO, and SOD assays. The activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), bleeding time (BT), prothrombin time (PT), and clotting time (CT) all went up with increasing doses in the aqueous-methanolic extract (p ≤ 0.05). Comparing the plant extract to urokinase, the plant extract demonstrated considerable (p ≤ 0.05) clot lysis. Additionally, it dose-dependently delayed the ADR-induced platelet adhesion dose-dependently (p ≤ 0.05). The outcome of this study justifies its therapeutic utility in coagulation disorders and can be used as an alternative medicine.

In vitro transdermal release of crocin from electrospun saffron and its comparison with in vitro digestion

Saffron extract (SE) was electrospun into pullulan-pectin (Pl-Pc), pullulan-pea protein-pectin (Pl-Pp-Pc), or zein nanofibers (NFs) for transdermal food supplement. The in vitro transdermal permeation mechanism and kinetics of SE from NFs were studied and compared with those of in vitro digestion. The ATR-FTIR spectra of NFs provided information on the interactions between SE and wall biopolymers. The release of SE from NFs was investigated in stimulated gastrointestinal media (SGF and SIF) using a dialysis bag, and transdermal permeation studies were performed via a membrane in a Franz diffusion cell. The wettability and swelling ratio of the NFs were determined. The Pl-Pc-SE sample, which has the lowest contact angle and the highest swelling index, resulted in the highest release of SE during digestion. The Ritger-Peppas and Higuchi models best represented the experimental release data from digestion and transdermal permeation. The release profile of SE from zein NFs in SGF was described using a non-Fickian mechanism. In contrast, the release mechanism for Pl-based NFs in SGF and all NFs during both release experiments was Fickian-controlled diffusion transport. The results indicate that NFs can be successfully used for the controlled delivery of SE and have the potential for transdermal applications as a dietary supplement.

Nano techniques: an updated review focused on anthocyanin stability

Anthocyanins (ACNs) are one of the subgroups of flavonoids and getting intensive attraction due to the nutritional values. However, their application of ACNs is limited due to their poor stability and bioavailability. Accordingly, nanoencapsulation has been developed to enhance its stability and bio-efficacy. This review focuses on the nano-technique applications of delivery systems that be used for ACNs stabilization, with an emphasis on physicochemical stability and health benefits. ACNs incorporated with delivery systems in forms of nano-particles and fibrils can achieve advanced functions, such as improved stability, enhanced bioavailability, and controlled release. Also, the toxicological evaluation of nano delivery systems is summarized. Additionally, this review summarizes the challenges and suggests the further perspectives for the further application of ACNs delivery systems in food and medical fields.

Biomacromolecular carriers based hydrophobic natural products for potential cancer therapy

Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide. It was estimated that 90 % of cancer-related deaths were attributable to the development of multi-drug resistance (MDR) during chemotherapy, which results in ineffective chemotherapy. Hydrophobic natural products plays a pivotal role in the field of cancer therapy, with the potential to reverse MDR in tumor cells, thereby enhancing the efficacy of tumor therapy. However, their targeted delivery is considered a major hurdle in their application. The advent of numerous approaches for encapsulating bioactive ingredients in the nanodelivery systems has improved the stability and targeted delivery of these biomolecules. The manuscript comprehensively analyses the nanodelivery systems of bioactive compounds with potential cancer therapy applications, including liposomes, emulsions, solid lipid nanoparticles (NPs), and polymeric NPs. Then, the advantages and disadvantages of various nanoagents in the treatment of various cancer types are critically discussed. Further, the application of multiple-compbine delivery methods to overcome the limitations of single-delivery have need critically analyzed, which thus could help in the designing nanodrug delivery systems for bioactive compounds in clinical settings. Therefore, the review is timely and important for development of efficient nanodelivery systems involving hydrophobic natural products to improve pharmacokinetic properties for effective cancer treatment.

Microfluidic fabrication of core-shell fucoxanthin nanofibers with improved environmental stability for reducing lipid accumulation in vitro

Fucoxanthin is a xanthophyll carotenoid that possesses potent antioxidant, anti-obesity, and anti-tumor properties. However, its limited solubility in water and susceptibility to degradation create challenges for its application. In this study, a microfluidic coaxial electrospinning technique was used to produce core-shell zein-gelatin nanofibers for encapsulating fucoxanthin, enhancing its bioavailability, and improving its stability. In comparison to uniaxially-loaded fucoxanthin nanofibers, the encapsulation efficiency of fucoxanthin reached 98.58 % at a core-shell flow rate ratio of 0.26:1, representing a 14.29 % improvement. The photostability of the nanofibers increased by 74.59 % after three days, UV stability increased by 38.82 % after 2 h, and temperature stability also significantly improved, demonstrating a protective effect under harsh environmental conditions (P < 0.05). Additionally, nanofibers effectively alleviated oleic acid-induced reactive oxygen species production and reduced fluorescence intensity by 54.76 %. MTT experiments indicated great biocompatibility of the nanofibers, effectively mitigating mitochondrial membrane potential polarization and lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells. Overall, the microfluidic coaxial electrospinning technique enables promising applications of fucoxanthin delivery in the food industry.

Functional electrospun nanofibers: fabrication, properties, and applications in wound-healing process

Electrostatic spinning as a technique for producing nanoscale fibers has recently attracted increasing attention due to its simplicity, versatility, and loadability. Nanofibers prepared by electrostatic spinning have been widely studied, especially in biomedical applications, because of their high specific surface area, high porosity, easy size control, and easy surface functionalization. Wound healing is a highly complex and dynamic process that is a crucial step in the body's healing process to recover from tissue injury or other forms of damage. Single-component nanofibers are more or less limited in terms of structural properties and do not fully satisfy various needs of the materials. This review aims to provide an in-depth analysis of the literature on the use of electrostatically spun nanofibers to promote wound healing, to overview the infinite possibilities for researchers to tap into their biomedical applications through functional composite modification of nanofibers for advanced and multifunctional materials, and to propose directions and perspectives for future research.

Recent trends in the application of protein electrospun fibers for loading food bioactive compounds

Electrospun fibers (EFs) have emerged as promising one-dimensional materials for a myriad of research/commercial applications due to their outstanding structural and physicochemical features. Polymers of either synthetic or natural precursors are applied to design EFs as carriers for bioactive compounds. For engineering food systems, it is crucial to exploit polymers characterized by non-toxicity, non-immunogenicity, biocompatibility, slow/controllable biodegradability, and structural integrity. The unique attributes of protein-based biomaterials endow a wide diversity of desirable features to EFs for meeting the requirements of advanced food/biomedical applications. In this review paper, after an overview on electrospinning, different protein materials (plant- and animal-based) as biodegradable/biocompatible building blocks for designing EFs will be highlighted. The potential application of protein-based EFs in loading bioactive compounds with the intention to inspire interests in both academia and industry will be summarized. This review concludes with a discussion of prevailing challenges in using protein EFs for the bioactive vehicle development.

Food-grade encapsulated polyphenols: recent advances as novel additives in foodstuffs

A growing inclination among consumers toward the consumption of natural products has propelled the usage of natural compounds as novel additives. Polyphenols are among the most popular candidates of natural food additives with multiple functionalities and bioactivities but are limited by instability. In this regard, a series of food-grade encapsulated polyphenols has been tailored for incorporating into food formulations as novel additives, which could better satisfy the complicated industry processing. This review seeks to present the most recent discussions regarding their application status in diverse foodstuffs as novel additives, involving functionalities, action mechanisms, and relevant encapsulation technologies. The scientific findings confirm that such novel additives show positive effects on physicochemical, sensory, and nutritional properties as well as the shelf life of diverse food matrices. However, poor heat resistance is still the major defect that restricts their application in thermal processes. Future research should focus on the evaluation of the compatibility and applicability of encapsulated polyphenols in real food processes as well as track and deepen their molecular action mechanisms in the context of complex foodstuffs. Innovation of existing encapsulation technologies should also be concerned in the future to bridge the gap between lab and scale-up production.

Nanoencapsulation of Cyanidin 3-O-Glucoside: Purpose, Technique, Bioavailability, and Stability

The current growing attractiveness of natural dyes around the world is a consequence of the increasing rejection of synthetic dyes whose use is increasingly criticized. The great interest in natural pigments from herbal origin such as cyanidin 3-O-glucoside (C3G) is due to their biological properties and their health benefits. However, the chemical instability of C3G during processing and storage and its low bioavailability limits its food application. Nanoencapsulation technology using appropriate nanocarriers is revolutionizing the use of anthocyanin, including C3G. Owing to the chemical stability and functional benefits that this new nanotechnology provides to the latter, its industrial application is now extending to the pharmaceutical and cosmetic fields. This review focuses on the various nanoencapsulation techniques used and the chemical and biological benefits induced to C3G.

Electrospinning Composites as Carriers of Natural Pigment: Screening of Polymeric Blends

Several studies have already demonstrated that electrospinning is an excellent tool for forming nano/microfibers. However, the number of parameters affecting the formation of the structures has become a great challenge, including the polymeric solutions’ rheological properties, directly affecting the morphology of the fibers formed. The present work aimed to produce polymeric composites and determine their rheological properties, comparing them to the morphology of the fibers formed by electrospinning. Also, to evaluate their potential use as the carriers of natural pigments. To this end, a distinct combination of solutions containing Chitosan/Gelatin, Chitosan/poly(ethylene) oxide (PEO) and Zein/PEO was produced and submitted to electrospinning. The sample containing zein manufactured the structures smaller in diameter (201.3 ± 58.6 nm) among those studied. Besides, it was observed that adding PEO to the solutions impacts the increase in viscosity and shear thinning behavior, guaranteeing uniformity in the structures formed. Natural pigments were successfully incorporated into the chosen zein/PEO solution, and it was observed that adding these compounds led to changes in the rheological characteristics, as expected. Nevertheless, it was possible to produce uniform fibers with diameters ranging from 665.68 ± 249.56 to 2874.44 ± 1187.40 nm, opening the possibility of using these natural pigments in biotechnological processes.

Effects of Cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) Powder Addition on the Physicochemical Properties and Oxidation Stability of Jiangsu-Type Sausage during Refrigerated Storage

Effects of different levels (1%, 3% and 5%) of cherry powder on the physiochemical properties and antioxidant activity of Jiangsu-type sausages were investigated at 4 °C for 30 days. The results show that the sensory evaluation values and physicochemical properties of the sausages had no significant differences compared to the control group when cherry powder addition was 1%, and the alcohols, aldehydes and esters were increased after the addition of cherry powder improved the flavor of sausages. However, higher concentration of cherry powder (3% and 5%) exerted adverse influences on sensory evaluation values and physicochemical properties of sausages compared with the control. The addition of cherry powder could better inhibit lipid and protein oxidation of sausages, and the cherry powder concentration has a positive correlation with its effect on the inhibition of lipid and protein oxidation. In addition, cherry powder could effectively control TVB-N values of sausages during chilled storage. All these results indicate that 1% cherry powder could not only guarantee the physicochemical properties of sausages, but also inhibited the oxidation of sausages during chilled storage.

Nanofibers of Jussara Pulp: A Tool to Prevent the Loss of Thermal Stability and the Antioxidant Activity of Anthocyanins after Simulated Digestion

Electrospinning can produce a new composite for coating sensitive bioactive compounds, such as anthocyanins, and the product obtained from this process presents characteristics that potentialize the application of natural pigments in foodstuffs. The present work aimed to develop a new nanofiber composite with incorporated anthocyanins from jussara pulp using polyethylene oxide through electrospinning. A decay in the percentage of anthocyanins during digestion was observed. However, the polymeric solution and composites produced maintained the antioxidant activity, showing their protective effect on bioactive compounds; furthermore, both nanofibers and polymer solution improved the thermal stability of the anthocyanins. Thus, the results obtained potentiate electrospinning composites in processed food products since the nanofibers presented superior thermal stability and antioxidant activity, even after the digestion process in vitro.

Colorimetric Indicators Based on Anthocyanin Polymer Composites: A Review

This review explores the colorimetric indicators based on anthocyanin polymer composites fabricated in the last decade, in order to provide a comprehensive overview of their morphological and compositional characteristics and their efficacy in their various application fields. Notably, the structural properties of the developed materials and the effect on their performance will be thoroughly and critically discussed in order to highlight their important role. Finally, yet importantly, the current challenges and the future perspectives of the use of anthocyanins as components of colorimetric indicator platforms will be highlighted, in order to stimulate the exploration of new anthocyanin sources and the in-depth investigation of all the possibilities that they can offer. This can pave the way for the development of high-end materials and the expansion of their use to new application fields.

Cardioprotective Effect of Rumex vesicarius Linn. Leaf Extract against Catecholamine-Induced Cardiotoxicity

Rumex vesicarius (L.) is a folklore medicinal herb that has been used for centuries to cure cardiovascular diseases. The present work was carefully designed to ascertain the pharmacological basis for R. vesicarius’s therapeutic efficacy in cardiovascular diseases, as well as the underlying mechanism. In the ex vivo investigation, the aqueous-methanolic leaf extract of R. vesicarius was shown to have endothelium-dependent vasorelaxant effects in rabbit aorta tissue preparations, and its hypotensive responses were quantified by pressure and force transducers coupled to the Power Lab Data Acquisition System. Furthermore, when rabbits were subjected to adrenaline-induced myocardial infarction, R. vesicarius demonstrated cardioprotective characteristics. In contrast to the intoxicated group, the myocardial infarction model showed lower ALP, CK-MB, CRP, LDH, ALT, troponin, and AST levels (p > 0.005−0.000), as well as edema, necrosis, apoptosis, inflammatory cell enrolment, and necrosis. R. vesicarius exhibited significant antioxidant activity and delayed noradrenaline-induced platelet aggregation. Its cardioprotective, anticoagulant, and vasorelaxant properties in both investigations (in vivo and ex vivo) are mediated through partial endothelium-dependent, NO and calcium channel blockade mediated vasorelaxation. The minimizing of adrenaline, oxidative stress, and tissue damage demonstrate its therapeutic efficacy in cardiovascular diseases.

Pharmacological Justification for the Medicinal Use of Plumeria rubra Linn. in Cardiovascular Disorders

Plumeria rubra (L.) is a traditional folkloric medicinal herb used to treat cardiovascular disorders. The present investigation was methodically planned to investigate the pharmacological foundations for the therapeutic effectiveness of P. rubra in cardiovascular illnesses and its underlying mechanisms. Ex vivo vaso-relaxant effects of crude leaf extract of P. rubra were observed in rabbit aorta ring preparations. Hypotensive effects were measured using pressure and force transducers connected to the Power Lab data acquisition system. Furthermore, P. rubra displayed cardioprotective properties in rabbits when they were exposed to adrenaline-induced myocardial infarction. In comparison to the intoxicated group, the myocardial infarction model showed decreased troponin levels, CK-MB, LDH, ALT, ALP, AST, and CRP, as well as necrosis, apoptosis, oedema, and inflammatory cell enrollment. P. rubra has revealed good antioxidant properties and prolonged the noradrenaline intoxicated platelet adhesion. Its anticoagulant, vasorelaxant, and cardioprotective effects in both in vivo and ex vivo investigations are enabled by blocking L-type calcium channels, lowering adrenaline, induced oxidative stress, and tissue tear, justifying its therapeutic utility in cardiovascular disorders.

Jasminum sambac: A Potential Candidate for Drug Development to Cure Cardiovascular Ailments

Jasminum sambac (L.) is a South Asian folkloric medicinal plant that has traditionally been used to treat cardiovascular problems. The current investigation was meticulously organized to explore the pharmacological foundation for the medicinal uses of J. sambac pertaining to cardiovascular ailments and to investigate the core mechanisms. Mechanistic investigation revealed that crude leaf extract of J. sambac produced ex-vivo vasorelaxant effects in endotheliumintact aorta ring preparation and hypotensive effect was recorded via pressure and force transducers coupled to the Power Lab Data Acquisition System. Moreover; J. sambac showed cardioprotective effects against adrenaline -induced left ventricular hypertrophy in rabbits observed hemodynamic. CK-MB, LDH, troponin, CRP, ALT, AST, ALP levels were shown to be lower in the myocardial infarction model, as were necrosis, oedema, and inflammatory cell recruitment in comparison to control. J. sambac has shown good antioxidant potential as well as prolonged the noradrenaline induced platelet adhesion. The vasorelaxant and cardioprotective effects in both in vivo and ex vivo experiments, which are enabled by activation of muscarinic receptor and/or releasing the nitric oxide and by reducing the adrenaline, induced oxidative stress, justifying its usage in cardiovascular disorders.

Microencapsulation of Anthocyanins—Critical Review of Techniques and Wall Materials

Anthocyanins are value-added food ingredients that have health-promoting impacts and biological functionalities. Nevertheless, there are technological barriers to their application in the food industry, mainly because of their poor stability and susceptibility to harsh environmental conditions, such as oxygen, temperature, pH, and light, which could profoundly influence the final food product′s physicochemical properties. Microencapsulation technology is extensively investigated to enhance stability, bioaccessibility, and impart controlled release properties. There are many varieties of microencapsulation methods and diverse types of wall materials. However, choosing a proper approach involves considering the processing parameters, equipment availability, and application purposes. The present review thoroughly scrutinizes anthocyanins′ chemical structure, principles, benefits, and drawbacks of different microencapsulation methods, including spray drying, freeze drying, electrospinning/electrospraying, inclusion complexes, emulsification, liposomal systems, ionic gelation, and coacervation. Furthermore, wall materials applied in different techniques plus parameters that affect the powders′ encapsulation efficiency and physicochemical properties are discussed. Future studies should focus on various processing parameters and the combination of different techniques and applications regarding microencapsulated anthocyanins in functional foods to assess their stability, efficiency, and commercialization potentials.

Techniques and modeling of polyphenol extraction from food: a review

There is a growing demand for vegetal food having health benefits such as improving the immune system. This is due in particular to the presence of polyphenols present in small amounts in many fruits, vegetables and functional foods. Extracting polyphenols is challenging because extraction techniques should not alter food quality. Here, we review technologies for extracting polyphenolic compounds from foods. Conventional techniques include percolation, decoction, heat reflux extraction, Soxhlet extraction and maceration, whereas advanced techniques are ultrasound-assisted extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, supercritical fluid extraction, high-voltage electric discharge, pulse electric field extraction and enzyme-assisted extraction. Advanced techniques are 32-36% more efficient with approximately 15 times less energy consumption and producing higher-quality extracts. Membrane separation and encapsulation appear promising to improve the sustainability of separating polyphenolic compounds. We present kinetic models and their influence on process parameters such as solvent type, solid and solvent ratio, temperature and particle size.

Biopolymer-liposome hybrid systems for controlled delivery of bioactive compounds: Recent advances

Conventional liposomes still face many challenges associated with the poor physical and chemical stability, considerable loss of encapsulated cargo, lack of stimulus responsiveness, and rapid elimination from blood circulation. Integration of versatile functional biopolymers has emerged as an attractive strategy to overcome the limitation of usage of liposomes. This review comprehensively summarizes the most recent studies (2015-2020) and their challenges aiming at the exploration of biopolymer-liposome hybrid systems, including surface-modified liposomes, biopolymer-incorporated liposomes, guest-in-cyclodextrin-in-liposome, liposome-in-hydrogel, liposome-in-film, and liposome-in-nanofiber. The physicochemical principles and key technical information underlying the combined strategies for the fabrication of polymeric liposomes, the advantages and limitations of each of the systems, and the stabilization mechanisms are discussed through various case studies. Special emphasis is directed toward the synergistic efficiencies of biopolymers and phospholipid bilayers on encapsulation, protection, and controlled delivery of bioactives (e.g., vitamins, carotenoids, phenolics, peptides, and other health-related compounds) for the biomedical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and functional food applications. The major challenges, opportunities, and possible further developments for future studies are also highlighted.

Uniaxial and Coaxial Electrospinning for Tailoring Jussara Pulp Nanofibers

Jussara pulp (Euterpe edulis Mart.) is rich in bioactive compounds known to be protective mediators against several diseases. In this context, nevertheless, anthocyanins, the most abundant natural pigment in jussara, are sensitive to temperature, pH, oxygen, and light conditions, leading to instability during food storage or digestion, and, thus jeopardizing the antioxidant proprieties retained by these flavonoids and limiting industrial application of the pulp. The production of nanostructures, from synthetic and natural polymers, containing natural matrices rich in bioactive compounds, has been widely studied, providing satisfactory results in the conservation and maintenance of the stability of these compounds. The current work aimed to compare uniaxial and coaxial electrospinning operation modes to produce core-shell jussara pulp nanofibers (NFs). Additionally, the parameters employed in the electrospinning processes were optimize using response surface methodology in an attempt to solve stability issues for the bioactive compounds. The best experimental conditions provided NFs with diameters ranging between 110.0 ± 47 and 121.1 ± 54 nm. Moreover, the coaxial setup improved jussara pulp NF formation, while further allowing greater integrity of NFs structures.

Microparticles of Eugenia stipitata pulp obtained by spray-drying guided by DSC: An analysis of bioactivity and in vitro gastrointestinal digestion

Previous studies indicate that the bioactive compounds of Eugenia stipitata pulp have antimutagenic, anticarcinogenic and antigenotoxic properties, but its use has been limited due to its high perishability. The aim of this study was to preserve bioactivity by using spray-drying microencapsulation, and is pioneering for its use of DSC to determine the best proportion of wall material (maltodextrin or gum arabic) and drying temperature (100 or 120 °C). The microparticles with maltodextrin (1:9)-100 °C had the best bioactivity conservation after in vitro gastrointestinal digestion, conserving 61% of total polyphenols, and 101%, 85% and 31% of antioxidant capacity according to the ABTS, FRAP and DPPH test methods respectively. These microparticles had a spherical morphology, presented good thermal stability and can be stored at a temperature range from 20 to 40 °C without becoming sticky. Therefore, spray-drying microencapsulation together with DSC is important for preserving a high concentration of bioactive compounds.

Antioxidant Activity of Encapsulated Extracts and Bioactives from Natural Sources

The low water solubility and low bioavailability of natural bioactive substances such as polyphenols and flavonoids, either in pure form or extracts, are a major concern in the pharmaceutical field and even on the food development sector. Although encapsulation has demonstrated success in addressing these drawbacks, it is important to evaluate the antioxidant activity of the encapsulated compounds. This article reviews the encapsulation of bioactive compounds from natural sources focusing their antioxidant activity after encapsulation. Attention is given to the methods and wall materials used, and the antioxidant activity methodologies (classical in vitro techniques such as DPPH, ORAC, FRAP and others, as well as in vivo/ex vivo tests to evaluate endogenous antioxidant enzymes or oxidative stress) applied to assess the antioxidant capacity are also comprehensively summarized.

Development and Characterization of Electrospun Nanostructures Using Polyethylene Oxide: Potential Means for Incorporation of Bioactive Compounds

The development of processes for stabilization of the properties of bioactive compounds has been studied in recent years, and the use of nanotechnology is among the most discussed routes. The present work addressed the assembly of nanostructures using polyethylene oxide (PEO), the production of core-shell nanofibers (NFs) with bioactive compounds, and the evaluation of their microscopic and physical characteristics. Aqueous solutions of PEO were electrospun by varying different process and solution parameters (PEO and NaCl concentrations, feeding rate, the tip-to-collector distance (TCD), and applied voltage) in order to optimize production of nanostructures. The best condition obtained was evaluated to form core-shell NFs composed by jussara pulp as a source of anthocyanins. To assess the production of NFs with PEO and jussara pulp, feed solutions were prepared in acetate buffer (pH 4.5) with 6% PEO and 10% lyophilized jussara pulp, at a feeding rate of 150 μL·h−1 and TCD of 15 cm using an applied voltage of 10 kV to form core-shell NFs. The results revealed the formation of core-shell NFs with a diameter of 126.5 ± 50.0 nm. The outcomes achieved represent a crucial step in the application of anthocyanins in food systems as pigments, establishing a basis for further research on the incorporation of nanomaterials into foodstuff.

Anthocyanins: New techniques and challenges in microencapsulation

Anthocyanins are a bioactive compound belonging to the flavonoid classthatis present in human nutrition through plant-based foods. Due to their antioxidant properties, several health benefits related to their consumption are reported in the literature. The stability of the color and the properties of anthocyanins is strongly affected by pH, solvent, temperature, and other environmental conditions. In addition, the insufficient residence time of anthocyanins in the upper digestive tract causes apartialabsorption, which needs to be improved. These factshave led researchers to investigate new forms of processing that provide minimal degradation. Microencapsulation is a promising possibility to stabilize anthocyanin extracts and allow their addition to food products in a more stable form. The microcapsules can still provide a prolonged gastrointestinal retention time caused by the improvement of the bioadhesive properties in the mucus covering the intestinal epithelium. Although there are efficient and emerging techniques, anthocyanins microencapsulation is still a challenge for the food industry. The purpose of this work is to provide an overview of anthocyanins structure, absorptionand protection, and to show the main conventional and emerging microencapsulation methods and their pros and cons.

Applications of Electrospun Nanofibers with Antioxidant Properties: A Review

Antioxidants can be encapsulated to enhance their solubility or bioavailability or to protect them from external factors. Electrospinning has proven to be an excellent option for applications in nanotechnology, as electrospun nanofibers can provide the necessary environment for antioxidant encapsulation. Forty-nine papers related to antioxidants loaded onto electrospun nanofibers were categorized and reviewed to identify applications and new trends. Medical and food fields were commonly proposed for the newly obtained composites. Among the polymers used as a matrix for the electrospinning process, synthetic poly (lactic acid) and polycaprolactone were the most widely used. In addition, natural compounds and extracts were identified as antioxidants that help to inhibit free radical and oxidative damage in tissues and foods. The most recurrent active compounds used were tannic acid (polyphenol), quercetin (flavonoid), curcumin (polyphenol), and vitamin B6 (pyridoxine). The incorporation of active compounds in nanofibers often improves their bioavailability, giving them increased stability, changing the mechanical properties of polymers, enhancing nanofiber biocompatibility, and offering novel properties for the required field. Although most of the polymers used were synthetic, natural polymers such as silk fibroin, chitosan, cellulose, pullulan, polyhydroxybutyrate, and zein have proven to be proper matrices for this purpose.

Effect of Electrospinning Process on Total Antioxidant Activity of Electrospun Nanofibers Containing Grape Seed Extract

Electrospinning is a common technique used for the production of nanofibers, and it is based on the fact that the electrically charged liquid polymer is positioned in a continuous fiber form on a grounded surface. Grape seed is rich in phenolic compounds and can be used as a dietary supplement or as a natural antioxidant source in diet. In this study, grape seed extract of Burdur Dimrit variety (Vitis vinifera L.) was electrospun with gelatin, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and PVA/β-cyclodextrin polymers to produce nanofibers with antioxidant activity. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the electrospinning process on the total antioxidant activity and total phenolic contents of electrospun polymers with grape seed extracts. Total antioxidant activity of samples (by ABTS and DPPH assays) and total phenolic contents (Folin–Ciocalteu method) were determined before and after the electrospinning process of polymers with grape seed extract. Electrospinning with gelatin polymer decreased the antioxidant activity (ABTS assay) of nanofibers containing grape seed extract by 65% and their total phenolic contents by 7%. However, electrospinning treatment with PVA and PVA/β-cyclodextrin had no effect on the total antioxidant activity (ABTS and DPPH) and total phenolic substance contents of grape seed extract nanofibers.