Influence of disperse composition of polyphenols on the efficiency of their encapsulation by complex coacervation

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of the dispersed composition of polyphenols on the efficiency of their encapsulation by complex coacervation. The polyphenols chosen were rutin and curcumin, well-known antioxidants with a significant list of beneficial properties for the human body. An encapsulation procedure was used to enhance the effectiveness of these compounds, including as part of food systems. Biopolymers of protein nature (beef gelatin) and carbohydrate nature (citrus pectin) were chosen as encapsulating materials. These studies investigated the possibility of using a micronization procedure with ultrasound exposure, on the efficiency of encapsulation of polyphenols. In addition, the effect of the ratio of the encapsulated substance with the encapsulating biopolymers (gelatin and pectin) was evaluated. The work tested the ratio of polyphenols: (gelatin + pectin) equal to 1:2 and 1:20 (excessive amount of encapsulating biopolymers). The results showed that ultrasound exposure allows micronization of polyphenols in aqueous solution. The average particle size was reduced by more than 2 times for each of the polyphenols. It was found that the encapsulation efficiency increases when the micronized substance is used. On average, the encapsulation efficiency increased by a factor of 1.2 at a ratio of polyphenols:(gelatin + pectin) 1:2. For a ratio of 1:20, the increase in encapsulation efficiency was even higher. The results showed that despite the increase in encapsulation efficiency with excessive amounts of encapsulating agents, this approach resulted in larger capsules (1800-2300 nm) Using a 1:2 ratio resulted in particles less than 1000 nm, which is preferable. Overall, the results obtained showed the advisability of pre-micronization of polyphenols for their further encapsulation. The search for optimal ratios between the encapsulated substance and the encapsulating biopolymers requires further research.