Nano-delivery systems for encapsulation of phenolic compounds from pomegranate peel

Pomegranate fruit is getting more attention due to its positive health effects, and pomegranate peel (PP) is its main byproduct. PP has the potential to be converted from environmentally polluting waste to wealth due to its rich phenolic compounds such as ellagitannins, proanthocyanidins, and flavonoids with antioxidant, antimicrobial, and health effects. These phenolics are susceptible to environmental conditions such as heat, light, and pH as well as in vivo conditions of gastrointestinal secretions. Some phenolics of PP, e.g., ellagitannins could interfere with food ingredients and thus reduce their beneficial effects. Also, ellagitannins could form complexes with salivary glycoproteins, then a feeling of astringency taste.

Highlights

Pomegranate peel extract (PPE) possesses antioxidant and antimicrobial potential.

PPE contains high amount of hydrolysable tannins with numerous health effects.

Encapsulation techniques could protect PPE from disintegration and metal chelating.

Nano-delivery systems could enhance the sensory properties and bioavailability of PPE.

In this article, nano-delivery systems such as nanoparticles, nanoemulsions, and vesicular nanocarriers, designed and fabricated for PP bioactive compounds in recent years have been reviewed. Among them, lipid-based nano carriers i.e., solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, and vesicular nanocarriers have low toxicity, large-scale production feasibility, easy synthesis, and high biocompatibility.

So, it seems that the extraction and purification of bioactives from pomegranate wastes and nanoencapsulating them with cost effective and generally recognized as safe (GRAS) materials can be a bright prospect in enhancing the quality, safety, shelf life and health benefits of pomegranate products.

Hashem Andishmand, Sodeif Azadmard-damirchi, Hamed Hamishekar, MoammadAli Torbati, Mohammad Saeed Kharazmi, Geoffrey P. Savage, Chen Tan, Seid Mahdi Jafari, Nano-delivery systems for encapsulation of phenolic compounds from pomegranate peel, Advances in Colloid and Interface Science, Volume 311, 2023, 102833, ISSN 0001-8686, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cis.2022.102833.