Bioavailability, rheology, and sensory evaluation of mayonnaise fortified with vitamin D encapsulated in protein-based carriers

Plant protein-based Pickering emulsion for the encapsulation and delivery of fat-soluble vitamins: A systematic review

Vitamin deficiencies pose a significant global health challenge, leading to various health issues and economic burdens. These challenges arise with the delivery of fat-soluble vitamin (FSV) due to its poor stability against the environmental stimuli. The commercial fortification methods such as Pickering emulsion (PE), hydrogel and others offer a potential solution over the limitations of conventional vitamin delivery methods (degradation and poor bioavailability). PE stabilized by solid plant protein particles, have emerged as a promising approach for encapsulation and delivery of oil-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K). Plant proteins, with their amphiphilic nature and nutritional benefits, are particularly well-suited as a stabilizer for PE. Plant protein-based PE enhances protection of vitamins against the environmental stimuli and enhances the delivery efficiency of oil-soluble vitamins. Factors such as particle size, concentration, and oil type also influence the stability, encapsulation efficiency, and bio-accessibility of fat-soluble vitamins in PE. Hence, the present review explores the impact of various factors on the stability and bio-accessibility of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D and E) and also emphasizing the role of particle size and concentration of stabilizer in controlling release rates of vitamin encapsulated PE. The review also highlights the application of plant protein-based PEs in various food products including nutrient fortification, functional foods, and 3D food printing.

The Impact and Efficacy of Vitamin D Fortification

Vitamin D deficiency is a global health issue linked to various chronic diseases and overall mortality. It primarily arises from insufficient sunlight exposure, compounded by dietary limitations. Vitamin D fortification of commonly consumed foods has emerged as a viable public health intervention to address this deficiency. This review evaluates the impact of vitamin D food fortification on serum levels, intake, and health outcomes and explores the stability, bio-accessibility, bioavailability, and cost-effectiveness of such interventions. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed and Google Scholar, focusing on studies from 2015 to 2024. The criteria included primary research on healthy adults that addressed the effects of vitamin D fortification on health, intake, and serum levels, as well as the fortification's stability, bio-accessibility, bioavailability, and cost-effectiveness. Studies were extracted and analyzed according to PRISMA guidelines. The review included 31 studies from diverse geographic locations, revealing that fortifying dairy products, cereals, fats, oils, and other food items effectively increased serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels. The fortification methods varied, with vitamin D3 showing superior efficacy over vitamin D2. Encapsulation techniques improved stability and bioavailability. Fortifying staple foods like milk and eggs proved cost-effective compared with pharmaceutical interventions. Vitamin D food fortification significantly enhances serum levels and intake, with dairy and cereals being the most frequently fortified. Standardized fortification guidelines are essential to ensure safety and efficacy. Ongoing evaluation and region-specific policies are crucial for effectively optimizing fortification strategies and addressing vitamin D deficiency.

Optimization of Production Parameters for Fabrication of Gum Arabic/Whey Protein-Based Walnut Oil Loaded Nanoparticles and Their Characterization

The encapsulation of fatty acids, including walnut oil, within complexes is a promising strategy to address challenges, for instance, low water solubility and susceptibility to oxidation while incorporating these oils into food products. Additionally, encapsulation can effectively mask undesirable odor and flavor. The current study focuses on the optimization of walnut oil nanoparticles (WON) using complexes fabricated from gum arabic and whey protein by applying a response surface methodology. The impact of three different independent variables were determined, such as surfactant mixture (33-66%), walnut oil (5-25%), and sonication time (60-300 s), under three distinct desired conditions (low, medium, and high) on four different responses, i.e., particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), moisture level, and encapsulation efficiency (EE). The findings of the present study indicate that the point prediction-based WON resulted in significantly low particle size (82.94 nm), PDI (0.19), moisture content (3.49%), and high EE (77.26%). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) study demonstrated the successful encapsulation of walnut oil and wall material into nanocapsules. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) verified the improved thermal stability property of WON after incorporation, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated that the WON had relatively fragile and smooth surfaces, along with the presence of few porous structures. The recorded experimental data from the existing study showed that the developed formulation of WON was potentially useful as a value-added ingredient for food industries.

Protein-polysaccharide based double network microbeads improves stability of Bifidobacterium infantis ATCC 15697 in a gastro-Intestinal tract model (TIM-1)

Microencapsulation of probiotics is a main technique employed to improve cell survival in gastrointestinal tract (GIT). The present study investigated the impact of utilizing proteins i.e. Whey Protein Isolates (WPI), Pea Protein Isolates (PPI) or (WPI + PPI) complex based microbeads as encapsulating agents on the encapsulation efficiency (EE), diameter, morphology along with the survival and viability of Bifidobacterium infantis ATCC 15697. Results revealed that WPI + PPI combination had the highest EE% of the probiotics up to 94.09 % and the smoothest surface with less visible holes. WPI based beads revealed lower EE% and smaller size than PPI based ones. In addition, WPI based beads showed rough surface with visible signs of cracks, while PPI beads showed dense surfaces with pores and depressions. In contrast, the combination of the two proteins resulted in compact and smooth beads with less visible pores/wrinkles. The survival in gastrointestinal tract (GIT) was observed through TNO in-vitro gastrointestinal model (TIM-1) and results illustrated that all microbeads shrank in gastric phase while swelled in intestinal phase. In addition, in-vitro survival rate of free cells was very low in gastric phase (18.2 %) and intestinal phase (27.5 %). The free cells lost their viability after 28 days of storage (2.66 CFU/mL) with a maximum log reduction of 6.76, while all the encapsulated probiotic showed more than 106-7 log CFU/g viable cell. It was concluded that encapsulation improved the viability of probiotics in GIT and utilization of WPI + PPI in combination provided better protection to probiotics.

Preparation of Synbiotic Yogurt Sauce Containing Spirulina platensis Microalgae Extract and Its Effect on the Viability of Lactobacillus acidophilus

Background

Preparing a healthy and practical substitute for mayonnaise and reducing the complications caused by its consumption are two of the concerns of the producers of this product. Therefore, this study was conducted with the aim of evaluating the possibility of producing synbiotic yogurt sauce prepared with Spirulina platensis microalgae extract (SPAE) as a valuable and alternative product for mayonnaise.

Materials and Methods

After preparing yogurt from fresh cow's milk, synbiotic yogurt sauce was prepared according to the formulation, and the effect of SPAE at the rate of 0.5, 1, and 2% on the viability of the probiotic bacteria Lactobacillus acidophilus was evaluated, and chemical, rheological, and sensory tests were carried out in the storage period (35 days).

Results

The highest viability rate of L. acidophilus was related to the treatment containing 2% of SPAE with 1.31 log CFU/g reduction (from 9.02 log CFU/g on the first day to 7.71 log CFU/g on the final day) and 1% of SPAE with 2.98 log CFU/g reduction, respectively, which were significantly more effective than other treatments (P < 0.05), and it was found that the viability rate increases with the increase in the percentage of the prebiotic composition. There was also a significant difference between the treatments in the simulating conditions of the digestive system, and the viability of L. acidophilus in the treatment containing the prebiotic composition increased (P < 0.05). According to the results, during storage, in the presence of microalgae, acidity increased, and pH, viscosity, and sensory properties decreased compared to the control group. Upon analyzing the results, it was found that the addition of the prebiotic composition of SPAE, which is known as a functional product, led to a partial improvement in its properties. Therefore, the use of this alga, while benefiting from its medicinal and therapeutic properties, increases the viability rate of probiotic.

The garlic extract-loaded nanoemulsion: Study of physicochemical, rheological, and antimicrobial properties and its application in mayonnaise

In this research, garlic extract (GE)-loaded water-in-oil nanoemulsion was used as a novel preservative and antioxidant in mayonnaise. GE (5%, 10%, 15%, and 25%) as a dispersed phase, olive oil as a continuous phase, and polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR) as a low HLB surfactant, with a constant surfactant/garlic extract ratio (1:1), were used in the formulations of water-in-oil nanoemulsions. The properties of the active nanoemulsion, including droplet size, free radical scavenging capacity, antimicrobial activity against gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus [25923 ATCC]), and gram-negative (Escherichia coli H7 O157 [700728 ATCC]) were evaluated. The results showed that the mean droplet size of nanoemulsion increased from 62 to 302 nm and antioxidant capacity was also improved from 95.43% to 98.25% by increasing GE level from 5% to 25%. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) showed that antimicrobial activity against S. aureus could be observed only in high levels of GE (25%) in the formulation of nanoemulsion. The results of the total count analysis showed that the GE-loaded nanoemulsion (NEGE) was effective against the microorganisms, particularly after 4 months of storage. The incorporation of GE and NEGE did not affect significantly the acidity of different mayonnaise samples; however, they affected the concentration of the primary product of lipid oxidation. Adding GE and NGE did not significantly affect the rheological properties of mayonnaise and all samples showed shear-thinning behavior. Sensory evaluation showed that the samples with NEGE had higher scores in texture, spreadability, and mouthfeel, while the control samples had better scores in appearance, color, taste, and total acceptance. In general, the samples containing free GE (not encapsulated) had the lowest scores in all organoleptic characteristics.

Recent advances in encapsulation of fat-soluble vitamins using polysaccharides, proteins, and lipids: A review on delivery systems, formulation, and industrial applications

Fat-soluble vitamins (FSVs) offer a range of beneficial properties as important nutrients in human nutrition. However, the high susceptibility to environmental conditions such as high temperature, light, and oxygen leads to the degradation of these compounds. This review highlights the different formulations underlying the encapsulation of FSVs in biopolymer (polysaccharide and protein) and lipid-based micro or nanocarriers for potential applications in food and pharmaceutical industries. In particular, the function of these carrier systems in terms of encapsulation efficiency, stability, bioavailability, and bio-accessibility is critically discussed. Recently, tremendous attention has been paid to encapsulating FSVs in commercial applications. According to the chemical nature of the active compound, the vigilant selection of delivery formulation, method of encapsulation, and final application (type of food) are the key important factors to be considered in the encapsulation of FSVs to ensure a high loading capacity, stability, bioavailability, and bio-accessibility. Future studies are recommended on the effect of different vitamin types and micro and nano encapsulate sizes on bioaccessibility and biocompatibility through in vitro/in vivo studies. Moreover, the toxicity and safety evaluation of encapsulated FSVs in human health should be evaluated before commercial application in food and pharmaceuticals.

Emerging plant proteins as nanocarriers of bioactive compounds

The high prevalence of chronic illnesses, including cancer, diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases has become a growing concern for modern society. Recently, various bioactive compounds (bioactives) are shown to have a diversity of health-beneficial impacts on a wide range of disorders. But the application of these bioactives in food and pharmaceutical formulations is limited due to their poor water solubility and low bioaccessibility/bioavailability. Plant proteins are green alternatives for designing biopolymeric nanoparticles as appropriate nanocarriers thanks to their amphiphilic nature compatible with many bioactives and unique functional properties. Recently, emerging plant proteins (EPPs) are employed as nanocarriers for protection and targeted delivery of bioactives and also improving their stability and shelf-life. EPPs could enhance the solubility, stability, and bioavailability of bioactives by different types of delivery systems. In addition, the use of EPPs in combination with other biopolymers like polysaccharides was found to make a favorable wall material for food bioactives. This review article covers the various sources and importance of EPPs along with different encapsulation techniques of bioactives. Characterization of EPPs for encapsulation is also investigated. Furthermore, the focus is on the application of EPPs as nanocarriers for food bioactives.

Fortification by design: A rational approach to designing vitamin D delivery systems for foods and beverages

Over the past few decades, vitamin D deficiency has been recognized as a serious global public health challenge. The World Health Organization has recommended fortification of foods with vitamin D, but this is often challenging because of its low water solubility, poor chemical stability, and low bioavailability. Studies have shown that these challenges can be overcome by encapsulating vitamin D within well-designed delivery systems containing nanoscale or microscale particles. The characteristics of these particles, such as their composition, size, structure, interfacial properties, and charge, can be controlled to attain desired functionality for specific applications. Recently, there has been great interest in the design, production, and application of vitamin-D loaded delivery systems. Many of the delivery systems reported in the literature are unsuitable for widespread application due to the complexity and high costs of the processing operations required to fabricate them, or because they are incompatible with food matrices. In this article, the concept of "fortification by design" is introduced, which involves a systematic approach to the design, production, and testing of colloidal delivery systems for the encapsulation and fortification of oil-soluble vitamins, using vitamin D as a model. Initially, the challenges associated with the incorporation of vitamin D into foods and beverages are reviewed. The fortification by design concept is then described, which involves several steps: (i) selection of appropriate vitamin D form; (ii) selection of appropriate food matrix; (iii) identification of appropriate delivery system; (iv) identification of appropriate production method; (vii) establishment of appropriate testing procedures; and (viii) system optimization.

Design and Application of Hydrocolloids from Butternut Squash (Cucurbita moschata) Epidermis as a Food Additive in Mayonnaise-type Sauces

Hydrocolloids play a fundamental role in the design of new food products in their structure and functionality due to the interaction with the components of complex food matrices; for this reason, natural sources that are friendly to the environment must be sought for their extraction. A microstructure product such as mayonnaise is an oil-in-water-type emulsion design with the components of the complex varying from egg yolk, additives, spices, sugar, and other optional ingredients to improve its stabilities and organoleptic characteristics. The main objective of the study was to design and characterize the physicochemical, bromatological, and sensory analyses and rheological properties of the mayonnaise-type sauce formulated with hydrocolloids obtained from the epidermis of butternut squash (Cucurbita moschata) and xanthan gum. The rheological study allowed us to obtain a behavior of a non-Newtonian flow of the shear-thinning type for all the samples, and flow curves could be well described by the Carreau model (R ² ≥ 0.993). The samples exhibit a more elastic than viscous behavior, with a higher storage modulus than the loss modulus (G' > G″) in the evaluated frequency range. When performing the physicochemical analysis, pH values (4.02-4.28), titratable acidity (0.40-0.48), peroxide index (12.5-20 meq), and a stable behavior were achieved in all the formulations except for MS2, which showed instability. Regarding the sensory evaluation, the MS3 sample reflected the closest values to the control sample, with a higher level of satisfaction. On the other hand, the bromatological analysis of MS3 presented a humidity value of 55.3 ± 0.27; carbohydrates, 7.66 ± 0.42; protein, 0.87 ± 0.02; fiber, 0.94 ± 0.05; and ash, 0.54 ± 0.05. The development of this product contributes to the transformation and agro-industrial use of the butternut squash (C. moschata); likewise, it allows us to obtain a mayonnaise-type sauce with organoleptic and nutritional characteristics for human consumption.