Effect of Agave Fructans as Carrier on the Encapsulation of Blue Corn Anthocyanins by Spray Drying
Miguel Á. Sánchez-Madrigal,
Armando Quintero-Ramos,
Carlos A. Amaya-Guerra,
Carmen O. Meléndez-Pizarro,
Sandra L. Castillo-Hernández,
Carlos J. Aguilera-González
Affiliations
Miguel Á. Sánchez-Madrigal
Departamento de Investigación y Posgrado, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua, Nuevo Campus Universitario, Circuito Universitario, Chihuahua C.P. 31125, Chih., México
Armando Quintero-Ramos
Departamento de Investigación y Posgrado, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua, Nuevo Campus Universitario, Circuito Universitario, Chihuahua C.P. 31125, Chih., México
Carlos A. Amaya-Guerra
Departamento de Investigación y Posgrado, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Ciudad Universitaria, San Nicolás de los Garza C.P. 66450, N.L., México
Carmen O. Meléndez-Pizarro
Departamento de Investigación y Posgrado, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua, Nuevo Campus Universitario, Circuito Universitario, Chihuahua C.P. 31125, Chih., México
Sandra L. Castillo-Hernández
Departamento de Investigación y Posgrado, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Ciudad Universitaria, San Nicolás de los Garza C.P. 66450, N.L., México
Carlos J. Aguilera-González
Departamento de Investigación y Posgrado, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Ciudad Universitaria, San Nicolás de los Garza C.P. 66450, N.L., México
Effects of agave fructans as carrier agents on the encapsulation of blue corn anthocyanins using spray-drying were evaluated. Blue corn extract was mixed with 6%, 8%, 10%, and 12% (w/v) of agave fructans in duplicate and dried at 150 °C. The extract showed good contents of anthocyanins, polyphenols, and antioxidant activity. The increase of agave fructans in the encapsulated powders caused a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the humidity, water activity (aw), pH, bulk density, water solubility index (WSI), and color L* values. On the contrary, the agave fructan addition decreased the hygroscopicity, water absorption index (WAI), antioxidant activity, total anthocyanin, total polyphenol, and individual anthocyanin contents. The encapsulation of blue corn extract with 6% agave fructans (w/v) resulted in good physical, thermal, morphological, and high antioxidant properties. The results suggest that the use of agave fructans as wall material represents advantages in the conservation of anthocyanins and other bioactive compounds from blue corn extract during their encapsulation. The application of blue corn anthocyanin encapsulated powders as a food ingredient is promising for food pigmentation, representing additional advantages for their contribution as a soluble fiber that can benefit the health of consumers.