Vitiello, Antonella (2024) Next Generation Platforms for Foods and Nutraceuticals Delivery. [Tesi di dottorato]

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Abstract

Nutraceuticals, positioned at the intersection of food and medicine, hold immense potential for promoting health and preventing disease. However, this sector faces significant challenges, including inadequate regulation, inconsistent quality control and the need for innovative delivery technologies to enhance the efficacy of bioactive compounds. This PhD project presents a comprehensive evaluation of nutraceutical applications, structured around different objectives. The first research line investigates the quality and compliance of food supplements with standards set by the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur. 11). By analyzing marketed tablets and capsules containing red yeast rice, the study reveals significant issues with regulatory compliance and quality assurance in food supplements. Notably, it identifies failures in disintegration tests, emphasizing the urgent need for standardized quality control practices in this sector. The second objective focuses on the development and validation of an HPLC analytical method for detecting and quantifying cannabinoids. Additionally, various extraction methods were studied and applied to cannabis flowers and the variables influencing the extraction process were analyzed. Furthermore, to address challenges related to the low bioavailability and stability of cannabinoids, innovative delivery strategies were developed, with particular emphasis on cannabidiol (CBD). Two different nanoplatforms, nanoemulsions and polymeric nanoparticles (NPs), have been prepared using different combinations of materials. The physicochemical properties of these formulations were evaluated, along with their efficiency as drug delivery systems. CBD-loaded nanoemulsions (CBD-NE) for buccal delivery were developed using a combination of surfactants (Tween 80, Labrasol) and medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil. The optimized formulation enhanced CBD solubilization, stability and mucosal absorption, resulting in improved bioavailability. This approach offers a promising non-invasive alternative for effective CBD delivery. The second CBD-loaded nanoplatform consisted of composite NPs, spray-dried into micropowders, using zein, HP-β-CD and mannitol as inert carrier. The micropowders were tailored for oral CBD delivery, laveraging on the ability of the cyclodextrin to enhance the platform stability in biological media by reducing zein NPs aggregation. Additionally, through an adsorption assay, the interaction of NPs with stomach and gut mucosae was estimated. In the food industry, the reduction of plastic waste and ensuring food preservation and safety represent critical challenges. One innovative solution lies in the use of edible biocoatings, which not only minimize the reliance on plastic packaging but also enhance food preservation by acting as a protective barrier. In the final experimental chapter, the synergistic properties of zein and HP-β-CD were further leveraged to develop edible films and coatings aimed at extending the shelf-life of perishable food products. HP-β-CD enhanced the dispersion properties of zein, leading to optimized film characteristics, including improved mechanical strength, reduced water vapor permeability (WVP), controlled moisture content (MC) and enhanced UV-barrier properties. Composite zein/HP-β-CD coatings demonstrated excellent preservation capabilities, providing a sustainable approach to reducing food spoilage. Overall, the findings of this thesis make significant contributions to the expanding fields of nutraceuticals and food science, addressing pressing challenges in regulation, quality control, advanced delivery systems and food preservation.

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