Obtención y microencapsulación de un extracto rico en compuestos fenólicos con capacidad antioxidante de guayusa (Ilex guayusa)

Abstract

Phenolic compounds are bioactive molecules whose properties, such as their antioxidant capacity, have made them substances of great interest in different industries. In recent years, guayusa (Ilex guayusa) has been studied as an important source of these compounds. Therefore, in this study, the best conditions for extraction, microencapsulation, and antioxidant activity of phenolic compounds from guayusa leaves were determined. A three-square experimental design was applied in which the solvent concentration (ethanol) and the extraction time were evaluated to optimize the obtaining of phenols. The best extraction conditions indicated by the surface analysis were with 42 percent ethanol for a time of 62 minutes. In the microencapsulation process, the following variables were studied: extract concentration and inlet temperature. The optimized microencapsulation conditions obtained were a concentration of 30 percent solids of the extract at an inlet temperature of 150 degrees Celsius. Finally, for the evaluation of the antioxidant capacity, the DPPH method was applied, obtaining as a result a higher percentage of inhibition for the liquid extract than for the microencapsulated one with higher efficiency.