https://doi.org/10.17113/ftb.60.02.22.7384

Microencapsulation of Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale L.) Leaf Extract by Spray Drying

Arijana Martinić¹, Ana Kalušević^2,3, Steva Lević², Viktor Nedović², Aleksandra Vojvodić Cebin¹, Sven Karlović¹, Igor Špoljarić⁴, Gordan Mršić⁴, Krunoslav Žižek⁵ and Draženka Komes^1*

¹University of Zagreb, Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology, Pierottijeva 6, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

²University of Belgrade, Faculty of Agriculture, Nemanjina 6, 11080 Belgrade, Serbia

³Academy of Applied Studies Belgrade, Bl. Zorana Đinđića 152a, 11070 Belgrade, Serbia

⁴Forensic Science Centre ‘Ivan Vučetić’ Zagreb and Forensic Science Office of University of Zagreb, Ilica 335, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

⁵University of Zagreb, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Marulićev trg 19, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

Article history:

Received: 17 June 2021

Accepted: 19 April 2022

Keywords:

carriers; dandelion; encapsulation efficiency; physicochemical properties; polyphenols; spray drying

Summary:

Research background. Due to numerous health-promoting properties, dandelion has been used in traditional medicine as a herbal remedy, but also as a food product. Dandelion health benefits are ascribed to the presence of different bioactive compounds in its tissues, among which polyphenols play a significant role. However, the low stability of polyphenols is a critical parameter for their successful implementation into products. Thus, their encapsulation using appropriate carrier vehicles is highlighted as an effective technique for their stabilization and protection. The aim of this study is to microencapsulate dandelion leaf extract using spray drying and different carrier materials for the first time.

Experimental approach. In spray drying, low inlet temperature of 130 °C was employed to preserve sensitive dandelion polyphenols, while guar gum, gum arabic, inulin, maltodextrin, pectin and alginate were used as carriers. The influence of different carriers and their content on physicochemical, morphological and colour properties, polyphenolic content and encapsulation efficiency of polyphenols in dandelion powders was examined. Specific polyphenols were determined using HPLC-PAD analysis. Their release profiles and antioxidant capacity in simulated gastrointestinal conditions were also evaluated.

Results and conclusions. Compared to plain dandelion powder, carrier-containing dandelion powders have favourably increased solubility, enhanced flow and cohesive properties, reduced particle size and prolonged release of polyphenols under simulated gastrointestinal conditions. Powders were characterized by low moisture content (~2–8 %) and high solubility (~92–97 %). Chicoric acid was the most abundant compound in dandelion powders. Pectin-dandelion powder showed to be the most effective for microencapsulation of polyphenols, especially for chicoric acid entrapment (74.4 %). Alginate-dandelion powder enabled the slowest gradual release of polyphenols.

Novelty and scientific contribution. Spray drying at 130 °C and the applied carriers proved to be effective for microencapsulation of dandelion extract, where polyphenolic-rich dandelion powders, due to good physicochemical and encapsulation properties, could serve for the enrichment/production of different functional food products. Also, due to the lack of data on dandelion encapsulation, the obtained results could be of great interest for researchers in the encapsulation field, but also for food industry, especially in the field of instant powders.