Microencapsulation of microbial antioxidants from Mucor circinelloides, their physico-chemical characterization, in vitro digestion and releasing behaviors in food

Abstract This study aimed at increasing the stability of heat-labile and pH-sensitive microbial antioxidants by the microencapsulation. Microbial antioxidants from Mucor circinelloides were microencapsulated. The physico-chemical and powder flowing properties of resulting microcapsules were evaluated. The initial safety studies were evaluated by in vivo acute oral toxicity tests. The bio-accessibility of powders vs. extracts was analyzed in in vitro digestion models with further application of microcapsules to model food system. Physico-chemical properties were significantly different (p < 0.0001) for all microcapsules regardless of their non-substantial variations (p > 0.05) in powder flowing properties. The microencapsulation of extract with 5% whey protein hydrogels (WPHG) + 5% pectin (TA) showed higher retain-ability of polyphenols accompanying low degradation in gastric and intestinal digestion and with no major toxicity signs. The addition of TA microcapsule did not produce any nutritional, physico-chemical, compositional, and nutritional distinctions in cheese. Microencapsulation proved to be appropriate approach for not only protecting the thermo-labile and pH-sensitive microbial antioxidants but also for enhanced bioavailability, and targeted release of bioactive extracts