Valorization of Waste from Lavender Distillation Through Optimized Encapsulation Processes

This study evaluated and compared two encapsulation techniques—co-crystallization and ionic gelation—for stabilizing bioactive components derived from lavender distillation residues. Utilizing aqueous ethanol extraction (solid residues) and concentration (liquid residues), phenolic-rich extracts wer...

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Main Authors: Nikoletta Solomakou, Dimitrios Fotiou, Efthymia Tsachouridou, Athanasia M. Goula
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Foods
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/15/2684
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author Nikoletta Solomakou
Dimitrios Fotiou
Efthymia Tsachouridou
Athanasia M. Goula
author_facet Nikoletta Solomakou
Dimitrios Fotiou
Efthymia Tsachouridou
Athanasia M. Goula
author_sort Nikoletta Solomakou
collection DOAJ
description This study evaluated and compared two encapsulation techniques—co-crystallization and ionic gelation—for stabilizing bioactive components derived from lavender distillation residues. Utilizing aqueous ethanol extraction (solid residues) and concentration (liquid residues), phenolic-rich extracts were incorporated into encapsulation matrices and processed under controlled conditions. Comprehensive characterization included encapsulation efficiency (Ef), antioxidant activity (AA), moisture content, hygroscopicity, dissolution time, bulk density, and color parameters (L*, a*, b*). Co-crystallization outperformed ionic gelation across most criteria, achieving significantly higher Ef (>150%) and superior functional properties such as lower moisture content (<0.5%), negative hygroscopicity (−6%), and faster dissolution (<60 s). These features suggested enhanced physicochemical stability and suitability for applications requiring long shelf life and rapid solubility. In contrast, extruded beads exhibited high moisture levels (94.0–95.4%) but allowed better control over morphological features. The work introduced a mild-processing approach applied innovatively to the valorization of lavender distillation waste through structurally stable phenolic delivery systems. By systematically benchmarking two distinct encapsulation strategies under equivalent formulation conditions, this study advanced current understanding in bioactive microencapsulation and offers new tools for developing functional ingredients from aromatic plant by-products.
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issn 2304-8158
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publisher MDPI AG
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spelling doaj-art-a21845f78b614ae9adf2a69146958f7a2025-08-20T03:36:06ZengMDPI AGFoods2304-81582025-07-011415268410.3390/foods14152684Valorization of Waste from Lavender Distillation Through Optimized Encapsulation ProcessesNikoletta Solomakou0Dimitrios Fotiou1Efthymia Tsachouridou2Athanasia M. Goula3Department of Food Science and Technology, School of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Environment, Aristotle University, 541 24 Thessaloniki, GreeceDepartment of Food Science and Technology, School of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Environment, Aristotle University, 541 24 Thessaloniki, GreeceDepartment of Food Science and Technology, School of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Environment, Aristotle University, 541 24 Thessaloniki, GreeceDepartment of Food Science and Technology, School of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Environment, Aristotle University, 541 24 Thessaloniki, GreeceThis study evaluated and compared two encapsulation techniques—co-crystallization and ionic gelation—for stabilizing bioactive components derived from lavender distillation residues. Utilizing aqueous ethanol extraction (solid residues) and concentration (liquid residues), phenolic-rich extracts were incorporated into encapsulation matrices and processed under controlled conditions. Comprehensive characterization included encapsulation efficiency (Ef), antioxidant activity (AA), moisture content, hygroscopicity, dissolution time, bulk density, and color parameters (L*, a*, b*). Co-crystallization outperformed ionic gelation across most criteria, achieving significantly higher Ef (>150%) and superior functional properties such as lower moisture content (<0.5%), negative hygroscopicity (−6%), and faster dissolution (<60 s). These features suggested enhanced physicochemical stability and suitability for applications requiring long shelf life and rapid solubility. In contrast, extruded beads exhibited high moisture levels (94.0–95.4%) but allowed better control over morphological features. The work introduced a mild-processing approach applied innovatively to the valorization of lavender distillation waste through structurally stable phenolic delivery systems. By systematically benchmarking two distinct encapsulation strategies under equivalent formulation conditions, this study advanced current understanding in bioactive microencapsulation and offers new tools for developing functional ingredients from aromatic plant by-products.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/15/2684co-crystallizationencapsulation efficiencyhydrodistillationionic gelationphenolic compounds
spellingShingle Nikoletta Solomakou
Dimitrios Fotiou
Efthymia Tsachouridou
Athanasia M. Goula
Valorization of Waste from Lavender Distillation Through Optimized Encapsulation Processes
Foods
co-crystallization
encapsulation efficiency
hydrodistillation
ionic gelation
phenolic compounds
title Valorization of Waste from Lavender Distillation Through Optimized Encapsulation Processes
title_full Valorization of Waste from Lavender Distillation Through Optimized Encapsulation Processes
title_fullStr Valorization of Waste from Lavender Distillation Through Optimized Encapsulation Processes
title_full_unstemmed Valorization of Waste from Lavender Distillation Through Optimized Encapsulation Processes
title_short Valorization of Waste from Lavender Distillation Through Optimized Encapsulation Processes
title_sort valorization of waste from lavender distillation through optimized encapsulation processes
topic co-crystallization
encapsulation efficiency
hydrodistillation
ionic gelation
phenolic compounds
url https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/15/2684
work_keys_str_mv AT nikolettasolomakou valorizationofwastefromlavenderdistillationthroughoptimizedencapsulationprocesses
AT dimitriosfotiou valorizationofwastefromlavenderdistillationthroughoptimizedencapsulationprocesses
AT efthymiatsachouridou valorizationofwastefromlavenderdistillationthroughoptimizedencapsulationprocesses
AT athanasiamgoula valorizationofwastefromlavenderdistillationthroughoptimizedencapsulationprocesses