BACKGROUND
Biocompatible Pickering emulsions (PE) stabilized by tailor-made antioxidant-loaded particles have been known for some time now, but antioxidant rich naturally plant particle-based emulsions are much less so. This study aimed to investigate the physico-chemical properties of commercial Zingiber officinale powders obtained by biological and conventional agricultural practice and ginger powder-based PE.
RESULTS
The physico-chemical and biological properties of conventional and biological agricultural practices Zingiber officinale powders (GDPs) and derived PE (PE_GDPs) were examined. All GDPs showed weak aggregation in aqueous media and a sufficiently hydrophobic surface for stabilize oil-in-water (O/W) PE against coalescence for at least to one month. GDP (2% w/w) derived from biological agricultural practices (GDPBIO) demonstrated the best emulsifying properties. GDPs and PE_GDPs were also characterized for their phytochemical profile. All investigated samples exhibited ferric reducing ability power greater than the positive control BHT with values ranging from 91.21 to 102.63 μMFe (II) g-1 for GDPC2 and 05PE_GDPC1, respectively wheras in β-carotene bleaching test the following trend GDPC1 > GDPBIO > GDPC2 was observed at both incubation times. 05PE_GDBIO sample with the oil volume fraction equal to 50% resulted stable to oxidation and exhibited a promising a-amylase inhibitory activity (100% with PE tested as they are).
CONCLUSION
Results suggest the dual functionality of ginger powder and the possibility of using it as a starting point to design biocompatible PE for different applications in functional food, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical industries due their antioxidant activity and carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzyme and lipase inhibitory properties. Further in vivo studies are necessary to confirm these findings.
