Molecules

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17 pages, 3491 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Lactic Acid Bacteria Simultaneously Encapsulate Diverse Bioactive Compounds from a Fruit Extract and Enhance Thermal Stability

by Fang Dou, Rewa Rai and Nitin Nitin

Molecules 2022, 27(18), 5821; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27185821 - 8 Sep 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1315

Abstract

This study develops an innovative cell-based carrier to simultaneously encapsulate multiple phytochemicals from a complex plant source. Muscadine grapes (MG) juice prepared from fresh fruit was used as a model juice. After incubation with inactivated bacterial cells, 66.97% of the total anthocyanins, and [...] Read more.

This study develops an innovative cell-based carrier to simultaneously encapsulate multiple phytochemicals from a complex plant source. Muscadine grapes (MG) juice prepared from fresh fruit was used as a model juice. After incubation with inactivated bacterial cells, 66.97% of the total anthocyanins, and 72.67% of the total antioxidant compounds were encapsulated in the cells from MG juice. Confocal images illustrated a uniform localization of the encapsulated material in the cells. The spectral emission scans indicated the presence of a diverse class of phenolic compounds, which was characterized using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Using HPLC, diverse phytochemical compound classes were analyzed, including flavanols, phenolic acid, hydroxycinnamic acid, flavonols, and polymeric polyphenols. The analysis validated that the cell carrier could encapsulate a complex profile of bioactive compounds from fruit juice, and the encapsulated content and efficiencies varied by the chemical class and compound. In addition, after the heat treatment at 90 °C for 60 min, >87% total antioxidant capacity and 90% anthocyanin content were recovered from the encapsulated MG. In summary, these results highlight the significant potential of a selected bacterial strain for simultaneous encapsulation of diverse phenolic compounds from fruit juice and improving their process stability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Technologies for Encapsulation of Small Molecules and Plant Extracts)

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16 pages, 3830 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Carboxymethyl Chitosan Modified Oxymatrine Liposomes for the Alleviation of Emphysema in Mice via Pulmonary Administration

by Jianqing Peng, Zimin Cai, Qin Wang, Jia Zhou, Jinzhuan Xu, Di Pan, Tingting Chen, Guangqiong Zhang, Ling Tao, Yi Chen and Xiangchun Shen

Molecules 2022, 27(11), 3610; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27113610 - 4 Jun 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 1862

Abstract

Pulmonary emphysema is a fatal lung disease caused by the progressive thinning, enlargement and destruction of alveoli that is closely related to inflammation and oxidative stress. Oxymatrine (OMT), as a bioactive constituent of traditional Chinese herbal Sophora flavescens, has great potential to [...] Read more.

Pulmonary emphysema is a fatal lung disease caused by the progressive thinning, enlargement and destruction of alveoli that is closely related to inflammation and oxidative stress. Oxymatrine (OMT), as a bioactive constituent of traditional Chinese herbal Sophora flavescens, has great potential to alleviate pulmonary emphysema via its anti-inflammatory and antioxidative activities. Pulmonary administration is the most preferable way for the treatment of lung diseases. To improve the in vivo stability and pulmonary retention of OMT, OMT-loaded liposome with carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) modification was developed. The CMCS was modified on the surface of OMT liposomes via electrostatic attraction and covalent conjugation to obtain Lipo/OMT@CMCS and CMCS-Lipo/OMT, respectively. A porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE)-induced emphysema mice model was established to evaluate the alleviation effects of OMT on alveolar expansion and destruction. CMCS-modified liposomal OMT exhibited superior ameliorative effects on emphysema regardless of the preparation methods, and higher sedimentation and longer retention in the lung were observed in the CMCS-Lipo group. The mechanisms of OMT on emphysema were related to the downregulation of inflammatory cytokines and the rebalancing of antioxidant/oxidation via the Nrf2/HO-1 and NF-κB/IκB-α signaling pathways, leading to reduced cell apoptosis. Moreover, the OMT liposomal preparations further enhanced its anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects. In conclusion, pulmonary administration of OMT is a potential strategy for the treatment of emphysema and the therapeutic effects can be further improved by CMCS-modified liposomes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Technologies for Encapsulation of Small Molecules and Plant Extracts)

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20 pages, 4556 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

A Platform Approach to Protein Encapsulates with Controllable Surface Chemistry

by Nina Warner, Ilja Gasan Osojnik Črnivec, Vijay Kumar Rana, Menandro Cruz and Oren A. Scherman

Molecules 2022, 27(7), 2197; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27072197 - 28 Mar 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3186

Abstract

The encapsulation of proteins into core-shell structures is a widely utilised strategy for controlling protein stability, delivery and release. Despite the recognised utility of these microstructures, however, core-shell fabrication routes are often too costly or poorly scalable to allow for industrial translation. Furthermore, [...] Read more.

The encapsulation of proteins into core-shell structures is a widely utilised strategy for controlling protein stability, delivery and release. Despite the recognised utility of these microstructures, however, core-shell fabrication routes are often too costly or poorly scalable to allow for industrial translation. Furthermore, many scalable routes rely upon emulsion-techniques implicating denaturing or environmentally harmful organic solvents. Herein, we investigate core-shell protein encapsulation through single-feed, aqueous spray drying: a cheap, industrially ubiquitous particle-formation technology in the absence of organic solvents. We show that an excipient’s preference for the surface of the spray dried particle is well-predicted by its hydrodynamic diameter (D

_{h}

) under relevant feed buffer conditions (pH and ionic strength) and that the predictive power of D

_{h}

is improved when measured at the spray dryer outlet temperature compared to room temperature (

R^{2}

= 0.64 vs. 0.59). Lastly, we leverage these findings to propose an adaptable design framework for fabricating core-shell protein encapsulates by single-feed aqueous spray drying. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Technologies for Encapsulation of Small Molecules and Plant Extracts)

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15 pages, 2232 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Polysaccharide Hydrogels for the Protection of Dairy-Related Microorganisms in Adverse Environmental Conditions

by Ilja Gasan Osojnik Črnivec, Tigran Neresyan, Yuliana Gatina, Vid Kolmanič Bučar, Mihaela Skrt, Iztok Dogša, Bojana Bogovič Matijašić, Irina Kulikova, Aleksei Lodygin and Nataša Poklar Ulrih

Molecules 2021, 26(24), 7484; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26247484 - 10 Dec 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2933

Abstract

Adverse environmental conditions are severely limiting the use of microorganisms in food systems, such as probiotic delivery, where low pH causes a rapid decrease in the survival of ingested bacteria, and mixed-culture fermentation, where stepwise changes and/or metabolites of individual microbial groups can [...] Read more.

Adverse environmental conditions are severely limiting the use of microorganisms in food systems, such as probiotic delivery, where low pH causes a rapid decrease in the survival of ingested bacteria, and mixed-culture fermentation, where stepwise changes and/or metabolites of individual microbial groups can hinder overall growth and production. In our study, model probiotic lactic acid bacteria (L. plantarum ATCC 8014, L. rhamnosus GG) and yeasts native to dairy mixed cultures (K. marxianus ZIM 1868) were entrapped in an optimized (cell, alginate and hardening solution concentration, electrostatic working parameters) Ca-alginate system. Encapsulated cultures were examined for short-term survival in the absence of nutrients (lactic acid bacteria) and long-term performance in acidified conditions (yeasts). In particular, the use of encapsulated yeasts in these conditions has not been previously examined. Electrostatic manufacturing allowed for the preparation of well-defined alginate microbeads (180–260 µm diameter), high cell-entrapment (95%) and viability (90%), and uniform distribution of the encapsulated cells throughout the hydrogel matrix. The entrapped L. plantarum maintained improved viabilities during 180 min at pH 2.0 (19% higher when compared to the free culture), whereas, L. rhamnosus appeared to be less robust. The encapsulated K. marxianus exhibited double product yields in lactose- and lactic acid-modified MRS growth media (compared to an unfavorable growth environment for freely suspended cells). Even within a conventional encapsulation system, the pH responsive features of alginate provided superior protection and production of encapsulated yeasts, allowing several applications in lacto-fermented or acidified growth environments, further options for process optimization, and novel carrier design strategies based on inhibitor charge expulsion. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Technologies for Encapsulation of Small Molecules and Plant Extracts)

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13 pages, 2795 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Study on Microencapsulation of Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.) and Peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) Essential Oils via Spray-Drying Technique

by Bissera Pilicheva, Yordanka Uzunova and Plamen Katsarov

Molecules 2021, 26(24), 7467; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26247467 - 9 Dec 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2566

Abstract

Essential oils have been studied for various applications, including for therapeutic purposes. There is extensive literature regarding their properties; however, their low stability limits their application. Generally, the microencapsulation of essential oils allows enhanced stability and enables the potential incorporation in solid dosage [...] Read more.

Essential oils have been studied for various applications, including for therapeutic purposes. There is extensive literature regarding their properties; however, their low stability limits their application. Generally, the microencapsulation of essential oils allows enhanced stability and enables the potential incorporation in solid dosage forms. Lavender and peppermint oils were encapsulated in microparticles using a spray-drying technique under optimized conditions: 170 °C temperature, 35 m³/h aspiration volume flow, and 7.5 mL/min feed flow. Arabic gum and maltodextrin were used as coating polymers individually in varying concentrations from 5 to 20% (w/v) and in combination. The microparticles were studied for morphology, particle size, oil content, and flowability. The formulated powder particles showed a high yield of 71 to 84%, mean diameter 2.41 to 5.99 µm, and total oil content of up to 10.80%. The results showed that both the wall material type and concentration, as well as the type of essential oil, significantly affected the encapsulation process and the final particle characteristics. Our study has demonstrated that the encapsulation of lavender and peppermint oils in Arabic gum/maltodextrin microparticles by spray-drying represents a feasible approach for the conversion of liquids into solids regarding their further use in powder technology. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Technologies for Encapsulation of Small Molecules and Plant Extracts)

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16 pages, 4850 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Freeze vs. Spray Drying for Dry Wild Thyme (Thymus serpyllum L.) Extract Formulations: The Impact of Gelatin as a Coating Material

by Aleksandra A. Jovanović, Steva M. Lević, Vladimir B. Pavlović, Smilja B. Marković, Rada V. Pjanović, Verica B. Đorđević, Viktor Nedović and Branko M. Bugarski

Molecules 2021, 26(13), 3933; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26133933 - 28 Jun 2021

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 3208

Abstract

Freeze drying was compared with spray drying regarding feasibility to process wild thyme drugs in order to obtain dry formulations at laboratory scale starting from liquid extracts produced by different extraction methods: maceration and heat-, ultrasound-, and microwave-assisted extractions. Higher total powder yield [...] Read more.

Freeze drying was compared with spray drying regarding feasibility to process wild thyme drugs in order to obtain dry formulations at laboratory scale starting from liquid extracts produced by different extraction methods: maceration and heat-, ultrasound-, and microwave-assisted extractions. Higher total powder yield (based on the dry weight prior to extraction) was achieved by freeze than spray drying and lower loss of total polyphenol content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) due to the drying process. Gelatin as a coating agent (5% w/w) provided better TPC recovery by 70% in case of lyophilization and higher total powder yield in case of spray drying by diminishing material deposition on the wall of the drying chamber. The resulting gelatin-free and gelatin-containing powders carried polyphenols in amount ~190 and 53–75 mg gallic acid equivalents GAE/g of powder, respectively. Microwave-assisted extract formulation was distinguished from the others by a higher content of polyphenols, proteins and sugars, higher bulk density and lower solubility. The type of the drying process mainly affected the position of the gelatin-derived -OH and amide bands in FTIR spectra. Spray-dried formulations compared to freeze-dried expressed higher thermal stability as confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry analysis and a higher diffusion coefficient; the last feature can be associated with the lower specific surface area of irregularly shaped freeze-dried particles (151–223 µm) compared to small microspheres (~8 µm) in spray-dried powder. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Technologies for Encapsulation of Small Molecules and Plant Extracts)

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17 pages, 4847 KiB

Open AccessArticle

β-Cyclodextrin Inclusion Complexes with Catechol-Containing Antioxidants Protocatechuic Aldehyde and Protocatechuic Acid—An Atomistic Perspective on Structural and Thermodynamic Stabilities

by Thammarat Aree

Molecules 2021, 26(12), 3574; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26123574 - 11 Jun 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3020

Abstract

Protocatechuic aldehyde (PCAL) and protocatechuic acid (PCAC) are catechol derivatives and have broad therapeutic effects associated with their antiradical activity. Their pharmacological and physicochemical properties have been improved via the cyclodextrin (CD) encapsulation. Because the characteristics of β-CD inclusion complexes with PCAL ( [...] Read more.

Protocatechuic aldehyde (PCAL) and protocatechuic acid (PCAC) are catechol derivatives and have broad therapeutic effects associated with their antiradical activity. Their pharmacological and physicochemical properties have been improved via the cyclodextrin (CD) encapsulation. Because the characteristics of β-CD inclusion complexes with PCAL (1) and PCAC (2) are still equivocal, we get to the bottom of the inclusion complexation by an integrated study of single-crystal X-ray diffraction and DFT full-geometry optimization. X-ray analysis unveiled that PCAL and PCAC are nearly totally shielded in the β-CD wall. Their aromatic rings are vertically aligned in the β-CD cavity such that the functional groups on the opposite side of the ring (3,4-di(OH) and 1-CHO/1-COOH groups) are placed nearby the O6–H and O2–H/O3–H rims, respectively. The preferred inclusion modes in 1 and 2 help to establish crystal contacts of OH⋅⋅⋅O H-bonds with the adjacent β-CD OH groups and water molecules. By contrast, the DFT-optimized structures of both complexes in the gas phase are thermodynamically stable via the four newly formed host–guest OH⋯O H-bonds. The intermolecular OH⋅⋅⋅O H-bonds between PCAL/PCAC 3,4-di(OH) and β-CD O6–H groups, and the shielding of OH groups in the β-CD wall help to stabilize these antioxidants in the β-CD cavity, as observed in our earlier studies. Moreover, PCAL and PCAC in distinct lattice environments are compared for insights into their structural flexibility. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Technologies for Encapsulation of Small Molecules and Plant Extracts)

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11 pages, 1024 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Co-Microencapsulated Black Rice Anthocyanins and Lactic Acid Bacteria: Evidence on Powders Profile and In Vitro Digestion

by Carmen-Alina Bolea, Mihaela Cotârleț, Elena Enachi, Vasilica Barbu and Nicoleta Stănciuc

Molecules 2021, 26(9), 2579; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26092579 - 28 Apr 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2098

Abstract

Two multi-functional powders, in terms of anthocyanins from black rice (Oryza sativa L.) and lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus paracasei, L. casei 431^®) were obtained through co-microencapsulation into a biopolymer matrix composed of milk proteins and inulin. Two extracts were [...] Read more.

Two multi-functional powders, in terms of anthocyanins from black rice (Oryza sativa L.) and lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus paracasei, L. casei 431^®) were obtained through co-microencapsulation into a biopolymer matrix composed of milk proteins and inulin. Two extracts were obtained using black rice flour as a raw material and hot water and ethanol as solvents. Both powders (called P1 for aqueous extract and P2 for ethanolic extract) proved to be rich sources of valuable bioactives, with microencapsulation efficiency up to 80%, both for anthocyanins and lactic acid bacteria. A higher content of anthocyanins was found in P1, of 102.91 ± 1.83 mg cyanindin-3-O-glucoside (C3G)/g dry weight (DW) when compared with only 27.60 ± 17.36 mg C3G/g DW in P2. The morphological analysis revealed the presence of large, thin, and fragile structures, with different sizes. A different pattern of gastric digestion was observed, with a highly protective effect of the matrix in P1 and a maximum decrease in anthocyanins of approximatively 44% in P2. In intestinal juice, the anthocyanins decreased significantly in P2, reaching a maximum of 97% at the end of digestion; whereas in P1, more than 45% from the initial anthocyanins content remained in the microparticles. Overall, the short-term storage stability test revealed a release of bioactive from P2 and a decrease in P1. The viable cells of lactic acid bacteria after 21 days of storage reached 7 log colony forming units (CFU)/g DW. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Technologies for Encapsulation of Small Molecules and Plant Extracts)

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