Zein-based micropowders as a novel strategy to deliver bioactive compounds in food supplements

Food supplements may be used to improve health, delay the aging process, prevent chronic diseases, increase life expectancy and support the structure or function of the body (Nasri et al, 2014). It has been highlighted that the worldwide dietary supplement market is expanding and would reach US $250 billion by 2018 (Hardy et al., 2000). Although food supplements have wide diffusion, some critical aspects like absorption of bioactive compounds, bioavailability, stability and shelf-life could be addressed through delivery technologies (McClements et al, 2015). This work is focused on bioactive compounds with high impact in food supplement market. Their logical formulation with polymer materials, already approved as food ingredients, and suitable processing through the application of nano-micro technology is expected to get innovative oral delivery systems with implemented properties and transferable to an industrial setting. Spray-Drying, a drying green process largely proposed to produce powders in one-step with an easy modulation of process parameters, was selected as processing method of bioactive compounds/polymer combinations. Zein, a plant-based protein extracted from corn, and ?CD, a cyclic oligosaccharide produced from starch, were opportunely combined to provide innovative modified-release powders for the delivery of a Hydrophilic Micronutrient chelate (HMCHEL).