Nanoencapsulation of Polyphenolic-Rich Extract from Biloxi Blueberries (Vaccinium Corymbosum L.) by Electrospraying using Zein as Encapsulating Material

Zein prolamine nanocapsules encapsulating polyphenolic compounds extracted from Biloxi blueberries were produced by means of the electrospraying technique and characterized. Nanocapsules were prepared with different ratios zein:extract 10: 1, 5: 1, 3.3: 1, 2: 1, using glycerol as an adjuvant. The SEM analysis showed homogeneity in the morphology of the nanocapsules, being not completely spherical, with a smooth surface, without cracks or dents, and with sizes around 200 to 300 nm. The DSC analysis showed that there were no strong interactions between the core and the encapsulating materials used. The study of the photoprotective effect revealed that zein is capable of photostabilizing the phenolic compounds present in the extract. The TGA analysis showed that the encapsulated extract presented a displacement of 100 °C in the decomposition temperature in comparison with the unencapsulated extract, which indicates that the zein offers thermoprotection to the phenolic compounds.