Lycopene-rich cream obtained via high-pressure homogenisation of tomato processing residues in a water–oil mixture

Tomato processing residues are still rich in bioactive compounds that may be recovered and reused, with environmental and economic benefits. This short communication discloses for the first time that the high-pressure homogenisation (HPH) treatment of tomato residues in the presence of water and sunflower oil is able to promote the extraction of bioactive compounds concurrently to the formation of an oil-in-water emulsion stabilised by the micronized residues. The mechanical disruption effect of HPH improved the mass transfer of lycopene into the oil phase, and formed fine fibrous debris, improving stabilisation and visual appearance of the emulsion. Results showed a progressive increase of lycopene concentration in the cream phase up to 5 HPH passes and a concurrent reduction of its content in the pellet. Total polyphenols content and antioxidant activity in the aqueous phase gradually decreased when increasing the number of passes, suggesting their progressive transfer in the cream phase. The proposed process that relies on a purely physical treatment and uses only water/sunflower oil as extraction media resulted in the production of a lycopene-rich cream of potential use as a functional food ingredient

Food-Grade Colloidal Systems for the Delivery of Essential Oils

This review presents a critical analysis of food-grade delivery systems, which are suitable for the delivery of essential oils (EOs) for food applications. In particular, the main colloidal systems, investigated in vitro for the encapsulation of essential oils, such as nanoemulsions, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, carbohydrate-based carriers, protein-based carriers, liposomes and gelatin, have been described in details, with a special focus on their formulation, the type of oils encapsulated, and the fabrication processes, as well as on the resulting antimicrobial activity with respect to free oils. Currently, among these food-grade colloidal systems, only nanoemulsions, liposomes, and biopolymeric particles have found use in real foods, because of their easily-scalable production processes, loading capability with EOs, as well as cost-effectiveness. The main applications in foods are discussed, with reference to the possible methods of incorporation of encapsulated essential oils in foods, such as direct mixing, washing or infusion, and coating within active biopolymeric matrices. In addition, also the use of encapsulated essential oils in several other fields is presented, such as in organic farming, pest control or luring, as well as in pest-repellent textiles. Finally, the main regulatory issues are discussed