Jingjing Han1, Shuhan Zhang1, Xuebo Liu1, Chunxia Xiao1. 1. Department of Food Safety and Nutrition, College of Food Science and Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi Province, China.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Capsaicin, as a major pungent ingredient of peppers, has many health benefits. However, the strong irritation effect of capsaicin inhibits its application in the food industry. Emulsions can be an effective approach to alleviate the irritation. RESULTS: In this study, we used tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS) as an emulsifier to prepare capsaicin emulsions through high-pressure homogenization. Capsaicin emulsions with a particle size of about 100 nm, -36.4 mV zeta potential, and 91.9% encapsulation efficiency were prepared successfully and showed better environmental stability and higher antioxidant activity. Emulsions reduced the cumulative release of capsaicin and had no toxic effect on buffalo rat liver (BRL-3A) cells. Moreover, the gastrointestinal injury model of rats showed that emulsions reduced the strong irritation of capsaicin. CONCLUSION: This work provides a theoretical basis for the application of irritant ingredients in food industry.
BACKGROUND:Capsaicin, as a major pungent ingredient of peppers, has many health benefits. However, the strong irritation effect of capsaicin inhibits its application in the food industry. Emulsions can be an effective approach to alleviate the irritation. RESULTS: In this study, we used tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS) as an emulsifier to prepare capsaicin emulsions through high-pressure homogenization. Capsaicin emulsions with a particle size of about 100 nm, -36.4 mV zeta potential, and 91.9% encapsulation efficiency were prepared successfully and showed better environmental stability and higher antioxidant activity. Emulsions reduced the cumulative release of capsaicin and had no toxic effect on buffalo rat liver (BRL-3A) cells. Moreover, the gastrointestinal injury model of rats showed that emulsions reduced the strong irritation of capsaicin. CONCLUSION: This work provides a theoretical basis for the application of irritant ingredients in food industry.