Encapsulation of a citrus by-product extract: Development, characterization and stability studies of a nutraceutical with antioxidant and metalloproteinases inhibitory activity

Spray-dried aqueous extract from citrus by-product (“pastazzo”, ExO) was studied to evaluate thepolyphenols content, the antioxidant properties and the inhibition of metalloproteinases over-expressedin dysmetabolic disease. During shelf life studies, ExO changes polyphenols content and decreases theantioxidant properties. Furthermore, Citrus flavonoids are unstable in gastric environment and ExOshowed an incomplete in vitro dissolution rate in simulated biological fluids, probably due to their lowsolubility. For these reasons, formulation studies have been performed to develop spray-dried gastroresistantmicrosystems for oral administration. Our studies revealed that all the prepared gastroresistantmicrosystems preserved the polyphenols content, prolonged the shelf-life and the antioxidant efficiencyof ExO and maintaining its inhibitory effects on metalloproteinases.© 2015 Elsevier