Phenolic Compounds in Calafate Berries Encapsulated by Spray Drying: Neuroprotection Potential into the Ingredient

Abstract

Calafate is a berry rich in anthocyanins that presents higher content of polyphenols than other fruits. Its compounds have been described previously, however, the potential thereof in preventing and treating degenerative disorders has not yet been studied. Due to its astringency, the consumption of this berry in its natural state is limited. To profit from the aforementioned properties and reduce palatability issues, calafate berry extracts were microencapsulated by spray drying, a rapid, cost-effective and scalable process, and were then compared with freeze drying as a control. The stability of its contents and its in-vitro potential, with respect to AChE activity and neuroprotection, were measured from the obtained microcapsules, resulting from temperature treatments and different encapsulant contents. The results indicated that the spray-dried powders were stable, despite high temperatures, and their encapsulation exhibited nearly 50% efficiency. The highest quantity of polyphenols and 3-O-glycosylated anthocyanins was obtained from encapsulation with 20% maltodextrin, at 120 °C. Temperature did not affect the microcapsules' biological action, as demonstrated by their antioxidant activities. The prevention of Aβ peptide cytotoxicity in PC12 cells (20%) revealed that encapsulated calafate can confer neuroprotection. We conclude that spray-drying is an appropriate technique for scaling-up and producing new value-added calafate formulations with anti-neurodegenerative effects and vivid colors.

Keywords: Berberis microphylla; PC12 cells; anthocyanins; encapsulation; next generation ingredients.

Figure 1

SEM images of spray-dried calafate berry powders. Three doses of maltodextrin and three inlet temperatures. Rows belong maltodextrin percentage (10, 20, 30) while columns correspond to inlet temperature of the spray dryer (100 °C, 120 °C, 140 °C).

Figure 2

Antioxidant and enzymatic activity of encapsulated calafate at two storage temperature (TofS, temperature of storage a = 5 °C, b = 35 °C) 1–9 spray dried treatments, freeze-dried (control process). (a) DPPH assay: Comparison between nine formulations by spray-drying, with freeze-drying of calafate as a control process; (b) ORAC assay: Spray-drying formulation, with freeze-drying of calafate as a control process.

Figure 3

Anthocyanin losses (%) from spray dried microcapsules of calafate (L) in (a) individual anthocyanins; (b) comparison of total anthocyanin losses, considering all treatments (temperature/percentage of maltodextrin).

Figure 4

Acetylcholinesterase activity (AChE) of powder of calafate by Spray Drying.

Figure 5

Effect of calafate powders on PC12 cell viability. (a) Comparative graphs of cell viability with increasing concentrations of the powder; (b) effect of encapsulated calafate on the reduction of cell viability induced by amyloid β-peptide oligomers (0.5 uM). Acetylcholinesterase activity (AChE) of powdered calafate, obtained by spray drying. FCCP: carbonyl cyanide4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenylhydrazone; Aβ: Amiloid beta. Statistical significance is found as *** (p < 0.01), ## (p < 0.05) and ****/#### (p < 0.001).