Freeze-drying of black chokeberry pomace extract-loaded double emulsions to obtain dispersible powders.

Black chokeberry pomace extract is rich in polyphenolic antioxidants, including anthocyanins. Added to foods, bioactive compounds of the extract can undergo undesirable changes both during food handling and digestion. In this study, we examined the possibility of encapsulating a considerable amount of black chokeberry pomace extract in the inner water phase of double emulsion (water-in-oil-in-water), for intended use in food applications. Furthermore, this study investigated the feasibility of double emulsions loaded with the extract for freeze-drying to obtain dispersible powders. A substantial amount (2.1%) of black chokeberry pomace extract was efficiently encapsulated in the inner water phase of double emulsion and remained entrapped during 60 days of storage (<97%) as well as during the freeze-drying of emulsions. Reconstituted emulsions obtained after the rehydration process were found to show monomodal droplet size distribution, decent creaming stability (approximately 97%), and good encapsulation efficiency (95.36%). Such characteristics of powdered double emulsions loaded by black chokeberry pomace extract make them suitable for food application as retainer and preservative of bioactive polyphenolic-rich extracts. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Powders of double emulsions loaded by black chokeberry pomace extract could be used as a source of bioactive polyphenolic compounds.