Design of Polymeric Delivery Systems for Lycium barbarum Phytochemicals: A Spray Drying Approach for Nutraceuticals

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: L.) are extremely rich in bioactive compounds, including phenolics, flavonoids, and vitamin C, which contribute to the strong antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties, positioning them as a promising candidate for nutraceutical applications. However, due to some limitations such as poor bioavailability and instability, encapsulation via spray drying with polymeric carriers provides a practical strategy to improve their stability, bioavailability, and applicability in the health sector. In this study, goji berry extract (GBE) was obtained via ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and encapsulated using spray drying with four different polymers: alginate, pectin, Eudragit E100 and RS30D. GBE-loaded microparticles showed improved production yields (e.g., 40.3% for Alginate + GBE vs. 13.9% for Alginate alone) and varying particle sizes (1.9-4.4 µm). The antioxidant/antiradical activities were retained to different extents, depending on the carrier, with RS30D + GBE displaying the highest TPC (15.51 mg GAE (gallic acid equivalents)/g), FRAP (59.83 µmol FSE (ferrous sulphate equivalents)/g), and DPPH activities (3.50 mg TE (Trolox equivalents)/g). Biocompatibility was confirmed in HT29-MTX cell lines for all produced microparticles. These findings support the use of spray-dried polymeric carriers to enhance the functional performance and stability of goji berry bioactive compounds in future nutraceutical applications.

Source: Foods

DOI: 10.3390/foods14203504

Authors: Filipa Teixeira, Angelina Rut, Paulo C. Costa, Francisca Rodrigues, Berta Nogueiro Estevinho

Institutions: Universidade do Porto, Rede de Química e Tecnologia, Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Albel Salazar, Universidade Técnica do Porto, Gheorghe Asachi Technical University of Iași

Language: English

Topic: Microencapsulation and Drying Processes

Subfield: Food Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDGs: Zero hunger, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,499

Funders: European Science Foundation, Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior, Ministério da Educação, Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia

OpenAlex ID: W4415210423