Simultaneous encapsulation of Echium (Echium plantagineum L.) seed oil, phytosterols and phenolic compounds: characterization and application of microcapsules

Abstract

The consumption of the mixture of omega-3 fatty acids and phytosterol enables the reduction in the cholesterol and triglycerides blood levels, respectively. However these compounds are very susceptible to oxidation, which complicates their use and application. Two strategies that would minimize this problem would be: (1) adding a compound with antioxidant functionality and (2) microencapsulation. For this reason, the objective of this project is the simultaneous microencapsulation of phytosterols, phenolic compounds (sinapic acid, quercetin and rutin) and echium seed oil (Echium plantagineum L.), which is a source of omega-3, using the complex coacervation technique. The treatments obtained will be analyzed by optical and scanning electron microscopy, size and particle size distribution, moisture, water activity, hygroscopicity, solubility, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (Ftir), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), controlled release, encapsulation efficiency and stability of the encapsulated materials. The best treatment will be applied into yoghurt which will be evaluated by pH, titratable acidity, instrumental color, viscosity and sensory acceptance. No work about the simultaneous encapsulation of these compounds by the technique mentioned was found in the literature, what allows us to intuit that this proposal is totally unique and very innovative. (AU)