The development of the encapsulation of bioactive compounds from flax and milk thistle seeds

Abstract

In the Republic of Moldova bioactive compound food supplements (BFS) are being used. These

supplements are produced in the form of crushed flour or powder and are packaged in plastic containers. Consumers take these BFS throughout the day by the spoonful. To move to a more advanced level of BFS storage and consumption, a new technology has been developed to create concentrated extracts. These extracts are then encapsulated into soft gelatin capsules, creating a new product that is innovative in the Moldovan market. This product is made from bioactive compounds derived from flax and milk thistle seeds and has a high level of competitiveness. Raw material preparation and extraction process were developed. Optimal CO2-extraction regimes were developed for flax seeds: P = 40-45 MPa, t = 35-40 °C, particle size 0.2-0.3 mm, humidity H = 5.3%. For milk thistle seeds, the following extraction regimes were selected: P = 35-40 MPa, t = 25-35 °C, particle

size 0.2- 0.3, H = 5.2%. These extraction conditions were chosen based on the yield of lipid extract obtained from the process. The extraction yield for milk thistle seeds can reach up to 1.7% from the total lipid content.

From the flax seeds, the process yield amounts to up to 87.7% of the initial lipid content in the raw material.

The fatty acid composition of flax and milk thistle CO2-extracts was determined, as well as their stability during storage. It has been established that the lipid composition of flax and milk thistle CO2-extracts is determined by unsaturated fatty acids, such as linoleic (55.00% and 0.19%, ω-6) and linolenic (16.80% and 48.88%, ω-3), as well as oleic (17.50% and 31.94%, ω-3). CO2-extracts from flax seeds are a significant source of linoleic acid, making them an important component in various industries. Thus, it was established for the first time that samples of extracts obtained from flax and milk thistle seeds have low acid and peroxide values, so the extracts are of high quality, and extraction parameters do not affect their quality. The realized studies have demonstrated the potential of the technology for producing bioactive compound food supplements using modern technology for processing local agricultural raw materials.