Microencapsulation structures based on protein-coated liposomes obtained through electrospraying for the stabilization and improved bioaccessibility of curcumin

Novel food-grade hybrid encapsulation structures based on the entrapment of phosphatidylcholine liposomes, within a WPC matrix through electrospraying, were developed and used as delivery vehicles for curcumin. The loading capacity and encapsulation efficiency of the proposed system was studied, and the suitability of the approach to stabilize curcumin and increase its bioaccessibility was assessed. Results showed that the maximum loading capacity of the liposomes was around 1.5% of curcumin, although the loading capacity of the hybrid microencapsulation structures increased with the curcumin content by incorporation of curcumin microcrystals upon electrospraying. Microencapsulation of curcumin within the proposed hybrid structures significantly increased its bioaccessibility (∼1.7-fold) compared to the free compound, and could successfully stabilize it against degradation in PBS (pH = 7.4). The proposed approach thus proved to be a promising alternative to produce powder-like functional ingredients.Laura G. Gómez-Mascaraque is recipient of a predoctoral contract from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO), Call 2013. The authors would like to thank the Spanish MINECO projects AGL2012-30647 and AGL2015-63855-C2-1-R for financial support. Authors would also like to thank the Laboratory for Analytical Resources and Calibration (LRAC) at UNICAMP for the characterization services, and Prof. Dr. Rosiane Lopes da Cunha from the Laboratory of Process Engineering (UNICAMP) for granting the use of their equipment acquired from FAPESP Financial support (project numbers 2009/54137-1 and 2011/06083-0).Peer reviewe