Investigation of Physicochemical, Microstructure and Antioxidant Properties of Firethorn (Pyracantha Coccinea Roemer Var. Lalandi) Microcapsules Produced by Spray-Dried and Freeze-Dried Methods

Abstract

Pyracantha coccinea Roemer var. lalandi is a valuable herb containing abundant polyphenols with powerful antioxidant properties that contribute significantly to health and medicinal benefits. Some physicochemical properties of this plant, about which there are few studies, have been investigated. It was concluded that the fruit could be a good source of selenium. Firethorn fruit was extracted using a sonicator at 60% ethanol, 60 Amplitude power and a constant temperature of 25 +/- 2 degrees C for 20 min. Using the obtained extract, it was deter-mined that the spray drying conditions (encapsulation concentration, maltodextrin:gum arabic ratio and inlet air temperature) of firethorn fruit powder total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, %DPPH, FRAP, water activity, %moisture, wettability, solubility, free bulk density, packed bulk density, % yield properties were investigated using a central composite rotatable design. The concentration of the feed solution and the maltodextrin:gum arabic ratio had a significant effect on the overall assessed responses, while the air inlet temperature had a slight effect on these variables. According to the desirability function, the optimum condi-tions were determined as 15% encapsulation concentration, 3:2 maltodextrin: gum arabic ratio, and 145 degrees C inlet air temperature. Microcapsule was obtained by freeze drying the feed solution prepared with encapsu-lation concentration of 15% and maltodextrin: gum arabic 3:2. The physicochemical, microstructure and anti-oxidant properties of microcapsules produced by two different methods were investigated. The TPC and TFC of the freeze-dried firethorn microencapsulates were significantly (p<0.05) higher than those of the spray dried firethorn microencapsulate. Routine was the most dominant bioactive component in firethorn micro -capsules. Gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, epicatechin, rutin were found to be higher in freeze-dried firethorn capsules compared to spray-dried microcapsules. The spray-dried powder was lighter in color than the freeze-dried powder. The a* and b* values of the freeze-dried powders were higher than those of the spray -dried powders. (c) 2023 SAAB. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.