Volnei Brito de Souza

Functional properties and stability of spray-dried pigments from Bordo grape (Vitis labrusca) winemaking pomace.

The stability of anthocyanin and phenolic compounds, the antioxidant capacity, the antimicrobial activity and the capacity to inhibit arginase from Leishmania were evaluated in spray-dried powders from Bordo grape winemaking pomace extract. The pigments were produced using maltodextrin as the carrier agent at concentrations varying from 10% to 30% and air entrance temperatures varying from 130 to 170°C. A sample of freeze-dried extract without the carrier was also evaluated. The anthocyanins in the spray-dried samples showed good stability during storage, better than the freeze-dried and liquid extracts. The samples were capable of inhibiting the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes and showed high inhibitory capacity against the enzyme arginase from Leishmania. These results provide evidence that Bordo grapes from the winemaking process have the potential to be used as natural pigments with functional properties.

Development of solid lipid microparticles loaded with a proanthocyanidin-rich cinnamon extract (Cinnamomum zeylanicum): Potential for increasing antioxidant content in functional foods for diabetic population

Cinnamon proanthocyanidins play an important role on the attenuation of complications associated to diabetes, but the daily ingestion of these compounds is not always satisfactory due to several aspects such as low stability and unpleasant taste. Thus, in the present study, a proanthocyanidin-rich cinnamon extract (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) was incorporated into solid lipid microparticles (SLMs) by spray chilling technique using vegetable fat as carrier. The microparticles were characterized with regard to their physical and chemical properties, morphology, proanthocyanidin stability and sensory properties. SLMs were spherical with a unimodal size distribution between 60 and 130μm, and proanthocyanidins were highly stable in SLM stored for up to 90days at 5, 25 and 37°C. Moreover, SLMs were able to mask the bitter taste and astringent sensation of proanthocyanidins and other polyphenols from cinnamon extract. Taken together, these results show the potential of SLM loaded with cinnamon proanthocyanidins for improving functional properties in new foods.

Evaluation of the release profile, stability and antioxidant activity of a proanthocyanidin-rich cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) extract co-encapsulated with α-tocopherol by spray chilling

Cinnamon has many health improving compounds such as proanthocyanidins, which also have potential for the prevention of damages caused by diabetes. Similarly, α-tocopherol is a natural antioxidant with important role on protection of fatty acids in membranes and lipoproteins. However, the addition of antioxidants in food may result in interaction with food matrix, low stability and unpleasant taste. In the present study, a proanthocyanidin-rich cinnamon extract (PRCE) (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) was co-encapsulated with α-tocopherol into solid lipid microparticles (SLMs) by spray chilling. The microparticles were characterized with regard to the physical and chemical properties, morphology, proanthocyanidin stability and release profile. SLMs were spherical with an average diameter of ca. 80μm. Proanthocyanidins were highly stable in SLMs stored for up to 90days at 5, 25 and 37°C. Moreover, SLMs gradually released proanthocyanidins in simulated gastrointestinal fluids by a diffusional process, following a Korsmeyer-Peppas kinetic. Analyses of the antioxidant compounds indicated that PRCE components exhibited a higher scavenging capacity against reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS). Thus, the SLMs produced in the present study have potential for application in the development of new functional foods and nutraceuticals, also providing an alternative for the controlled release of proanthocyanidins and α-tocopherol into the intestine.