Rheological and interfacial properties at the equilibrium of almond gum tree exudate (Prunus dulcis) in comparison with gum arabic.

Almond gum contains an arabinogalactan-type polysaccharide, which plays an important role in defining its interfacial and rheological properties. In this study, rheological and interfacial properties of almond gum and gum arabic aqueous dispersions were comparatively investigated. The interfacial tension of almond gum and gum arabic aqueous dispersions was measured using the pendant drop method in hexadecane.

Bioavailability of encapsulated resveratrol into nanoemulsion-based delivery systems.

Different O/W nanoemulsion-based delivery systems were developed in order to optimize the bioavailability of encapsulated resveratrol for potential oral administration. Blank formulations without resveratrol had no negative effect on cell viability or the cytoskeleton structure of Caco-2 cells (XTT viability assay and confocal microscopy). All nanoemulsions were then evaluated based on permeability tests on Caco-2 cells.

Evaluation of the stability and antioxidant activity of nanoencapsulated resveratrol during in vitro digestion.

Resveratrol was encapsulated in oil-in-water food-grade nanoemulsions of subcellular size, produced by high-pressure homogenization. Physicochemical stability was evaluated under accelerated aging (high temperature and UV light exposure), as well as during simulated gastrointestinal digestion. Antioxidant activity was assessed at different stages of digestion by chemical assays and by an improved cellular assay, to measure exclusively the residual activity of resveratrol that penetrated inside Caco-2 cells.