Solid dispersions as a technology to tailor made natural colorants-based formulations

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Solid dispersions as effective curcumin vehicles to obtain k-carrageenan functional films for olive oil preservation

Publication . Rezende, Stephany; Santamaria-Echart, Arantzazu; Almeida, Heloísa H.S.; Marcet, Ismael; Carpintero, Maria; Rendueles, Manuel; Lopretti, Mary; Dias, Madalena M.; Barreiro, M.F.

Synthetic packaging materials offer cost efficiency and performance but pose environmental risks. This study explores sustainable alternatives by developing k-carrageenan (KC) films functionalized with curcumin, using solid dispersions (SDs) to improve curcumin's compatibility, addressing the challenge of incorporating hydrophobic functionalities into hydrophilic film matrices. Films with varying curcumin content (1–20 wt%; KC1- KC20) were compared to a base film without curcumin (KC0) regarding water solubility, vapor permeability, water contact angle, and tensile properties. Compared to KC0, KC10 (10 % curcumin-SDs) exhibited improved water resistance, with solubility decreasing from 82.89 % to 77.18 %, while maintaining vapor permeability (2.96 × 10􀀀 10 g⋅m/s⋅m2⋅Pa). KC10 demonstrated enhanced tensile properties, with a 12.51 % increase in tensile modulus (241.47 MPa), a 3.86 % increase in stress at break (3.50 MPa), and a 4.42 % increase in strain at break (2.36 %). Furthermore, it exhibited potent antioxidant activity without releasing curcumin into a simulated fatty medium (non-migratory active protection mechanism), effectively preserving olive oil by limiting lipid oxidation to a peroxide value (PV) of 14 mEq. O2/kg oil, compared to 20 mEq. O2/kg oil in unprotected samples under accelerated conditions. It demonstrated significant antimicrobial activity with bacterial reductions of 95.4 % (Escherichia coli) and 90.6 % (Listeria monocytogenes), surpassing KC0. In conclusion, k-carrageenan films functionalized with curcumin SDs are promising and sustainable alternatives to synthetic packaging materials.

2025Journal article

Open access

Pickering emulsions stabilized with curcumin-based solid dispersion particles as mayonnaise-like food sauce alternatives

Publication . Ghirro, Larissa Camargo; Rezende, Stephany; Ribeiro, Andreia; Rodrigues, Nuno; Carocho, Márcio; Pereira, J.A.; Barros, Lillian; Demczuk Junior, Bogdan; Barreiro, M.F.; Santamaria-Echart, Arantzazu

Pickering emulsions, which are emulsions stabilized by colloidal particles, are being increasingly positioned as novel strategies to develop innovative food product solutions. In this context, the present work aims to develop Pickering emulsions stabilized by natural-based curcuminloaded particles produced by the solid dispersion technique as promising mayonnaise-like food sauce alternatives. Two particle formulations (KC1 and KC2) were produced using k-carrageenan as the matrix material and different curcumin contents, then employed in the preparation of three Pickering emulsion formulations comprising different oil fractions (') and particle concentrations (KC1 ' 0.4 (4.7%), KC2 ' 0.4 (4.7%) and KC2 ' 0.6 (4.0%)). The creaming index tests accompanied by the optical microscopy analysis evidenced the good stability of the developed products for the tested period of 28 days. The final products were tested concerning color attributes, pH, oxidative stability, textural, and nutritional composition, and compared with two commercial mayonnaises (traditional and light products). Overall, the produced emulsions were characterized by a bright yellow color (an appealing attribute for consumers), an acidic pH (similar to mayonnaise), and a considerably improved oxidative stability, implying a foreseeable longer shelf life. The sauce KC1 ' 0.4 (4.7%) showed a similar texture to the light commercial mayonnaise, being a promising alternative to conventional sauces, holding a low-fat content and potentially added benefits due to the curcumin and virgin olive oil intrinsic properties.

2022Journal article

Open access

β-Carotene colouring systems based on solid lipid particles produced by hot melt dispersion

Publication . Carvalho, Amarilis Santos; Rezende, Stephany; Caleja, Cristina; Pereira, Eliana; Barros, Lillian; Fernandes, Isabel P.; Manrique, Yaidelin A.; Gonçalves, Odinei Hess; Ferreira, Isabel C.F.R.; Barreiro, M.F.

In this work, β-carotene was selected to develop a novel study, namely a food colorant system based on beeswax solid lipid particles obtained by hot melt dispersion. The obtained microparticles were characterized by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, particle size analysis and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy. It was observed that the obtained size can be modulated by using different amounts of emulsifier, as well as the dispersing capability. In a final stage, the obtained particles were tested concerning their colorant power by selecting a food matrix widely appreciated and consumed (mayonnaise). Moreover, the formulation providing the best hue and dispersibility (formulation containing 3% of Tween 80, and β-carotene at 5 mg/25 g of commercial mayonnaise) was analysed along a storage period of 15 days concerning colour, nutritional value and chemical composition. The results pointed out for colour stability and nutritional value maintenance, after 15 days under storage at 6 °C.

2021Journal article

Open access

Biorefinery of Lignocellulosic and Marine Resources for Obtaining Active PVA/Chitosan/Phenol Films for Application in Intelligent Food Packaging

Publication . Lopretti, Mary; Batista-Menezes, Diego; Rezende, Stephany; Santamaria-Echart, Arantzazu; Barreiro, M.F.; Vega-Baudrit, Jose Roberto

This study focuses on the extraction of phenolic compounds from the fermentation of Phanerochaete chrysosporium and Gloeophyllum trabeum. The main goal was to synthesize phenol/chitosan microspheres and PVA films and characterized using FTIR, TGA, DSC, SEM, and mechanical tests to evaluate their physical, chemical, and mechanical properties for antimicrobial packaging applications. Homogeneous chitosan microspheres loaded with lignin-derived phenols were obtained, showing controlled release of antimicrobial compounds. The incorporation of phenolic microspheres into PVA/chitosan films resulted in significant improvements in mechanical properties: the films exhibited an elastic modulus of 36.14 ± 3.73 MPa, tensile strength of 12.01 ± 1.14 MPa, and elongation at break of 65.19 ± 5.96%. Thermal tests revealed that chitosan-containing films had enhanced thermal stability, with decomposition temperatures (T10) reaching 116.77 ◦C, compared to 89.28 ◦C for pure PVA. In terms of antimicrobial activity, PVA/chitosan/phenol films effectively reduced Lactobacillus growth and milk acidity, maintaining quality for up to 96 h at room temperature, outperforming controls with acetic acid and H2O2. The films also inhibit yeast growth for one week. In conclusion, phenols can be effective antimicrobial agents in dairy, but their use should be monitored. Additionally, PVA/chitosan-phenol films offer biodegradability, antimicrobial properties, and sustainability for diverse applications.

2024Journal article

Open access

New trends in natural emulsifiers and emulsion technology for the food industry

Publication . Santamaria-Echart, Arantzazu; Fernandes, Isabel P.; Silva, Samara Cristina; Rezende, Stephany; Colucci, Giovana; Dias, Madalena M.; Barreiro, M.F.

The food industry depends on using different additives, which increases the search for effective natural or natural-derived solutions, to the detriment of the synthetic counterparts, a priority in a biobased and circular economy scenario. In this context, different natural emulsifiers are being studied to create a new generation of emulsion-based products. Among them, phospholipids, saponins, proteins, polysaccharides, biosurfactants (e.g., compounds derived from microbial fermentation), and organic-based solid particles (Pickering stabilizers) are being used or start to gather interest from the food industry. This chapter includes the basic theoretical fundamentals of emulsions technology, stabilization mechanisms, and stability. The preparation of oil-in-water (O/W) and water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions, the potential of double emulsions, and the re-emerging Pickering emulsions are discussed. Moreover, the most relevant natural-derived emulsifier families (e.g., origin, stabilization mechanism, and applications) focusing food applications are presented. The document is grounded in a bibliographic review mainly centered on the last 10-years, and bibliometric data was rationalized and used to better establish the hot topics in the proposed thematic.

2021Book part

Open access