Starch extraction from avocado by-product and its use for encapsulation of ginger essential oil by electrospinning

• Published in: International journal of biological macromolecules Vol. 254; no. Pt 1; p. 127617
• Main Authors: Pires, Juliani Buchveitz, Santos, Felipe Nardo dos, Cruz, Elder Pacheco da, Fonseca, Laura Martins, Siebeneichler, Tatiane Jéssica, Lemos, Graciele Saraiva, Gandra, Eliezer Avila, Zavareze, Elessandra da Rosa, Dias, Alvaro Renato Guerra
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.01.2024
• Subjects: Active electrospun fibers; Anti-Bacterial Agents - pharmacology; Antibacterial activity; Avocado seed; Bioactive compounds; Fruit residue; Oils, Volatile - pharmacology; Persea; Starch; Starch nanomaterial; Zingiber officinale; Antibacterial activity; Active electrospun fibers; Bioactive compounds; Fruit residue; Starch nanomaterial; Avocado seed
• ISSN: 0141-8130; 1879-0003
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.127617

Starches from alternative sources, such as avocado seed, have potential for application in the encapsulation of essential oils. This study aimed to extract starch from avocado seeds and its use as wall material to encapsulate ginger essential oil (GEO), at different concentrations. The fibers were produced by electrospinning and evaluated by morphology, size, infrared spectra, thermogravimetric properties, contact angle, loading capacity, and antibacterial activity. The major compounds in GEO were α-zingiberene, β-sesquiphellandrene, α-farnesene, and α-curcumene. The starch-GEO fibers presented a higher diameter (∼553 nm) than those without GEO (345 nm). Encapsulation of GEO in starch fibers increased their thermal degradation temperatures from 165.8 °C (free GEO) to 257.6 °C (40 % GEO fibers). The starch-GEO fibers presented characteristic bands of their constituents by infrared spectra. Loading capacity ranged from 44 to 54 %. The fibers showed hydrophilic character, with a contact angle of <90°. Free GEO and the fibers with 50 % of GEO displayed antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, proving the bioactivity of the starch-GEO fibers and its possible applicability for food packaging. Avocado seed starch showed to be a great wall material for GEO encapsulation. •The avocado seed is a byproduct rich in starch.•Starch fibers are a system capable of encapsulating ginger essential oil (GEO).•Encapsulation of GEO in starch fibers promotes preservation of thermal stability.•The GEO encapsulation makes starch fibers less hydrophilic.•Starch-GEO fibers present antibacterial activity.