In Vitro Study on the Effect of the Appropriate Encapsulating Agent for the Release of Phenolic Compounds from Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn Extracts

Eight Hibiscus sabdariffa extracts at different concentrations, solvents, and decoction processes were encapsulated by spray-drying. Two carrying agents, maltodextrin (MD) and gum arabic (GA), in a relationship of 90:10 and 80:20, were used in aqueous and ethanolic media. The phenolic compounds (PC) were released under pH-controlled media simulating gastric and intestine conditions. FTIR assessed molecular interactions and the influence of morphology of the encapsulates by SEM imaging. The controlled PC release in aqueous media showed a lower release rate than ethanolic treatments for intestinal conditions. All the treatments showed a gradual release of PC, indicating the presence of strong molecular interactions between the carrying agents and PC from Hibiscus and the formation of encapsulates with PC on the particle surface. The formulation of encapsulates and the conditions used to obtain them may prove helpful in developing nutraceutical products.