title: Microencapsulation of Theobroma cacao L. waste extract: optimization using response surface methodology.
abstract: The cocoa extract (Theobroma cacao L.) has a significant amount of polyphenols (TP) with potent antioxidant activity (AA). This study aims to optimise microencapsulation of the extract of cocoa waste using chitosan and maltodextrin. Microencapsulation tests were performed according to a Box-Behnken factorial design, and the results were evaluated by response surface methodology with temperature, maltodextrin concentration (MD) and extract flowrate (EF) as independent variables, and the fraction of encapsulated TP, TP encapsulation yield, AA, yield of drying and solubility index as responses. The optimum conditions were: inlet temperature of 170 °C, MD of 5% and EF of 2.5 mL/min. HPLC analysis identified epicatechin as the major component of both the extract and microparticles. TP release was faster at pH 3.5 than in water. These results as a whole suggest that microencapsulation was successful and the final product can be used as a nutrient source for aquatic animal feed. Highlights Microencapsulation is optimised according to a factorial design of the Box-Behnken type. Epicatechin is the major component of both the extract and microcapsules. The release of polyphenols from microcapsules is faster at pH 3.5 than in water.
authors.affiliation: a Laboratory of Nanotecnology Pharmaceutical , Federal University of Pará , Belém , PA , Brazil.
authors.forename: Taís Vanessa
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7112-8074
authors.initials: TV
authors.lastname: Gabbay Alves
authors.affiliation: b Laboratory R&D Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic , Federal University of Pará , Belém , PA , Brazil.
authors.forename: Russany
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2705-1591
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Silva da Costa
authors.affiliation: c Department of Civil, Chemical and Environmental Engineering , University of Genoa , Genoa , Italy.
authors.forename: Bahar
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9425-5949
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Aliakbarian
authors.affiliation: c Department of Civil, Chemical and Environmental Engineering , University of Genoa , Genoa , Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandro Alberto
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6851-6386
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Casazza
authors.affiliation: c Department of Civil, Chemical and Environmental Engineering , University of Genoa , Genoa , Italy.
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5904-2940
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Perego
authors.affiliation: b Laboratory R&D Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic , Federal University of Pará , Belém , PA , Brazil.
authors.forename: José Otávio
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Carréra Silva Júnior
authors.affiliation: a Laboratory of Nanotecnology Pharmaceutical , Federal University of Pará , Belém , PA , Brazil.
authors.forename: Roseane Maria
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Ribeiro Costa
authors.affiliation: c Department of Civil, Chemical and Environmental Engineering , University of Genoa , Genoa , Italy.
authors.forename: Attilio
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2488-6080
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Converti
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed; D002099:Cacao; D002214:Capsules; D048271:Chitosan / Q000737:chemistry*; D004339:Drug Compounding; D059808:Polyphenols / Q000737:chemistry*; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000737:chemistry*; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D002214:Capsules; D059808:Polyphenols; D011134:Polysaccharides; C008315:maltodextrin; D048271:Chitosan
keywords: Cocoa; antioxidant activity; aquatic feed; microencapsulation; response surface methodology