Applications of propolis encapsulation in food products.

Propolis has beneficial health properties attributed to of phenolic compounds. However, its application is limited. Thus, encapsulation protects the bioactive compounds of propolis from degradation, allowing their release under controlled and specific conditions and increasing their solubility. In addition to protecting flavonoids, encapsulation also minimises the undesirable characteristics of propolis, such as strong odour. We brought attention to the high antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of encapsulated propolis, and its maintained biological activity enables more uses in different areas. Encapsulated propolis can be applied in food products as an ingredient. This review describes recent advances in improving the bioactivity of propolis extracts by using encapsulation techniques, and biopolymer research strategies, focusing on applications in food products. Encapsulated propolis has a promising market perspective due to the industrial and scientific-technological advancement, the increase in the amount of research, the improvement of propolis extraction techniques, and the need of consumers for innovative products.

Thermal stability of avocado oil: A comparative study with rice bran and olive oils

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the thermal stability of avocado oil (Breda variety) compared to olive and rice bran oils. The oils were heated to a temperature of 180 °C for 1.5, 3.0, 4.5, and 6.0 h in a digester block. The evaluations performed were: acidity, indices of peroxides, iodine, p-anisidine, refraction, electrical conductivity, specific extinction coefficients, phenolic compounds, chlorophylls, carotenoids, and antioxidant activity of the samples. Changes in the evaluated parameters were found as a function of the heating time. In general, olive oil was found to be more stable, followed by avocado oil. However, the avocado oil showed good maintenance of characteristics when subjected to heating. This work has shown that avocado oil is very similar to olive oil and that both show considerable stability after heating at the usual temperature of the frying process.

RESUMEN El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la estabilidad térmica del aceite de aguacate (variedad Breda) en comparación con los aceites de salvado de arroz y oliva. Se calentaron los aceites a una temperatura de 180 °C durante 1,5; 3,0; 4,5 y 6,0 h en un bloque digestor. Las muestras fueran sometidas a los siguientes análisis: acidez, índices de peróxidos, yodo, p-anisidina, refracción, conductividad eléctrica, coeficientes de extinción específica, compuestos fenólicos, clorofilas, carotenoides y actividad antioxidante. Se encontraron cambios en los parámetros evaluados en función del tiempo de calentamiento. Por lo general, se encontró que el aceite de oliva es más estable, seguido del aceite de aguacate. Sin embargo, el aceite de aguacate mostró un buen mantenimiento de las características bajo el calentamiento. Este trabajo ha demostrado que el aceite de aguacate es muy similar al aceite de oliva y que ambos muestran una estabilidad considerable al calentar a la temperatura habitual del proceso de fritura.