Articles
Balancing functional performance and sustainability: valorisation of Opuntia ficus-indica mucilage and processing waste in essential oil encapsulation
Article number
1466_27
Pages
223 – 232
Language
English
Abstract
The valorisation of indigenous plant resources within a circular bioeconomy framework presents an opportunity to develop sustainable delivery systems for bioactive compounds.
This study investigated the use of Opuntia ficus-indica cladodes mucilage and its processing waste as alternative wall materials for the encapsulation of Helichrysum splendidum essential oil (EO) via freeze-drying.
The encapsulation performance, physicochemical properties, and biological functionality of the resulting powders were evaluated to assess trade-offs between functional efficacy and material sustainability.
Both biopolymers successfully encapsulated the EO, with mucilage achieving a higher encapsulation efficiency (62.54%) and loading capacity compared to mucilage waste.
Mucilage-based powders exhibited better bulk and tapped densities, while mucilage waste demonstrated lower hygroscopicity and moisture content, indicating enhanced storage stability.
Despite these differences, all formulations maintained low water activity values, suggesting adequate microbiological stability.
Mucilage powders also showed higher water solubility, supporting their potential application in aqueous systems.
In terms of biological activity, mucilage-encapsulated EO displayed stronger antioxidant capacity (IC50=6.27 mg mL‑1) relative to mucilage waste formulations (14.02 mg mL‑1). Antifungal activity against Penicillium sp. was significantly enhanced upon encapsulation, with mucilage + EO achieving a lower IC50 of 1.19 mg mL‑1, exceeding the activity of the unencapsulated EO and the mucilage waste formulation.
These findings demonstrate a functional trade-off between encapsulation efficiency, biological performance, and physicochemical stability.
While mucilage provides superior delivery efficiency and bioactivity, mucilage waste offers advantages in moisture resistance and resource utilisation.
This study highlights the importance of integrating performance metrics with sustainability considerations in the design of plant-based encapsulation systems, supporting the development of circular bioeconomy strategies for value-added applications of agro-industrial residues.
This study investigated the use of Opuntia ficus-indica cladodes mucilage and its processing waste as alternative wall materials for the encapsulation of Helichrysum splendidum essential oil (EO) via freeze-drying.
The encapsulation performance, physicochemical properties, and biological functionality of the resulting powders were evaluated to assess trade-offs between functional efficacy and material sustainability.
Both biopolymers successfully encapsulated the EO, with mucilage achieving a higher encapsulation efficiency (62.54%) and loading capacity compared to mucilage waste.
Mucilage-based powders exhibited better bulk and tapped densities, while mucilage waste demonstrated lower hygroscopicity and moisture content, indicating enhanced storage stability.
Despite these differences, all formulations maintained low water activity values, suggesting adequate microbiological stability.
Mucilage powders also showed higher water solubility, supporting their potential application in aqueous systems.
In terms of biological activity, mucilage-encapsulated EO displayed stronger antioxidant capacity (IC50=6.27 mg mL‑1) relative to mucilage waste formulations (14.02 mg mL‑1). Antifungal activity against Penicillium sp. was significantly enhanced upon encapsulation, with mucilage + EO achieving a lower IC50 of 1.19 mg mL‑1, exceeding the activity of the unencapsulated EO and the mucilage waste formulation.
These findings demonstrate a functional trade-off between encapsulation efficiency, biological performance, and physicochemical stability.
While mucilage provides superior delivery efficiency and bioactivity, mucilage waste offers advantages in moisture resistance and resource utilisation.
This study highlights the importance of integrating performance metrics with sustainability considerations in the design of plant-based encapsulation systems, supporting the development of circular bioeconomy strategies for value-added applications of agro-industrial residues.
Publication
Authors
Y.O. Mukaila, K.A. Jimoh, T. Kaseke, O.A. Fawole
Keywords
active food packaging, essential oil encapsulation, Helichrysum splendidum, indigenous plant resources, Opuntia ficus-indica
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