Supercritical fluid extraction of emulsion-assisted encapsulation of hypocholesterolemic bioactive compounds

• Published in: The Journal of supercritical fluids 2024-09, Vol.211, p.106306, Article 106306
• Main Authors: Cerro, Daniela, Torres, Alejandra, Romero, Julio, Streitt, Camilo, Rojas, Adrián, Matiacevich, Silvia, Machuca, Sebastián
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Capsules properties; Curcumin; Encapsulation process; Supercritical fluid extraction of emulsion; β-sitosterol
• ISSN: 0896-8446; 1872-8162
• DOI: 10.1016/j.supflu.2024.106306

β-sitosterol and Curcumin, known for their hypocholesterolemic effects, have difficulties for application in aqueous foods due to their reduced water solubility and stability. The encapsulation technique allows these compounds to be protected, resulting in increased bioavailability and bioaccessibility. This study investigated the feasibility of producing capsules using different biopolymeric coating materials through a Supercritical Fluids Extraction of Emulsions (SFEE) encapsulation process. Emulsions with homogeneous droplet sizes were processed at 40 [°C] by the SFEE method at pressures of 9 and 13 [MPa]. β-sitosterol powder was successfully encapsulated in both polycaprolactone and modified-starch matrices. Curcumin could only be encapsulated in modified starch, probably because of the highly hydrophobic nature of this compound. The resulting powders, with process efficiencies higher than 60%, were characterized by thermal, structural and morphological analyses, indicating agglomerated spherical capsules. Optimal encapsulation was at 9 [MPa] due to smaller capsule sizes, lower pressure requirements and reduced CO2 consumption. [Display omitted] •βsitosterol were encapsulated in modified starch and polycaprolactone by the SFEE.•Curcumin could only be encapsulated in modified starch by the SFEE.•Nanoemulsions with narrow droplet size distribution were obtained.•Powders were characterized by thermal, structural and morphological analyses.•Smaller particles size and CO2 consumption were obtained at 9 MPa.