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Background: In recent years, the use of medicinal plants has increased significantly. Essential oils are one of the most important secondary metabolites in plants with promising potentials to promote health. Paying attention to the quality and effectiveness of medicinal plant products is important. Use of free essential oils due to volatility, low stability, poor solubility in water and low bioavailability, limit both their use and effectiveness. The most important tool to increase the quality of essential oil is the use of nanoparticles as carriers. This study aimed to investigate the nanoencapsulation of essential oils of medicinal plants and its effect on increasing the stability of essential oils and improving the quality of drug delivery systems. Method: In the present study, the data of scientific research articles have been used to investigate the use of nanoparticles in increasing the effectiveness of the essential oils. Findings: Drug-carrier nanoparticles include various materials such as nano polymers, dendrimers, etc. that can have different morphology and sizes depending on their synthesis method. Technology of nanoencapsulation of essential oils is used to increase stability, purposefulness and control the release time of essential oil in the human. One of the advantages of targeted drug delivery is the accurate and intelligent accumulation of essential oil as a drug at the target site, thus increasing the stability and pharmacological effects of the essential oil on the organs in the human. Conclusion: Nanocapsules containing essential oils of medicinal plants have significantly increased the effectiveness of essential oils in medical applications.

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The aim of the present research was to encapsulate cumin essential oil with phosphatidylcholine to overcome the fortification difficulties such as low water solubility and bioavailability and was protected umin essential oil from degradation in the presence of oxygen, light and temperatures. Cumin essential oil loaded nanophytosome (60 mg phosphatidylcholine- 30 mg cumin essential oil) was prepared by thin layer hydration method. Physicochemical properties of nanophytosome such as particle size, polydispersity index, encapsulation efficiency turbidity and zeta potential were investigated. Cumin essential oil nanophytosome showed excellent characteristics i.e. sub 100 nm particle sizes, low size distribution (PDI<0.3). and encapsulation efficiency 94/46 %. The turbidity of cumin essential oil loaded nanophytosome were remained unchanged and ζ-potential changed from +9 mV in blank nanophytosome to -19 mV in cumin essential oil loaded nanophytosome. The release rate increased gradually by increasing time. About 60% of free cumin essential oil were released in phoshphat buffer during 6 houre while 50 % of encapsulated cumin essential oil were released during 24 houre. In vitro release of essential oil was followed an exponential equation (first order Q (t) = a· (1-exp (-k·t))). This study indicates that the release of bioactive compounds from liposomes can be reduced by capsulated with phosphatidylcholine, allowing an application of with a nanophytosome controlled release of Cumin essential oil in water-based foods.

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This study was investigated whit aimed to the effect of unsaponifiable matter (USM) of Tarom rice bran oil on free and nano-encapsulated form in oxidative stability of soybean oil. For this purpose nanoencapsulation of USM by chitosan and Lepidium perfoliatum seed gum (LPSG) as wall material were performed and particle size, encapsulation efficiency and also antioxidant activity before and after nanoencapsulation were measured. The effect of free and nano-encapsulated forms and synthetic antioxidant TBHQ on oxidative stability of soybean oil were evaluated by peroxide value (PV), conjugated dien (CD), thiobarbituric acid (TBA) and color index and also release of phenolic and tocopherol compounds were measured. The results of this study showed that the nano-encapsulated sample by LPSG had particle size and encapsulation efficiency higher than that of the nano-encapsulated sample by chitosan, and also the antioxidant activity of USM decreased after nanoencapsulation. In the study of oxidative stability of soybean oil, our results showed that in the early stages of storage, USM of rice bran oil and nano-encapsulated samples increased the oxidation rate of soybean oil, but further free USM has shown better antioxidant activity compared to nano-encapsulated samples, and nano-encapsulated sample by LPSG had better antioxidant activity than the nano-encapsulated sample by chitosan. However, the synthetic antioxidant TBHQ showed higher antioxidant activity and better performance.
 

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Due to the concerns about the use of artificial colors in various foods, it is necessary to pay attention to sources with natural colors. One of these sources is the algae Spirulina, which contains the blue pigment phycocyanin. The aim of the present study in the first stage was to extract this pigment from the algae by enzymatic method and its nanoencapsulation. In the second stage, the physicochemical properties of nanoparticles were investigated. Finally, phycocyanin in both free and nano forms was added to the ice cream formulation and the qualitative and sensory properties of the product were evaluated in comparison with the control. The results showed that the produced nanoparticles have an average size of 397.1 nm. The encapsulation efficiency of the process was recorded 73.41%. According to the images recorded using scanning electron microscopy, the nanoparticle with different dimensions are scattered in the microscopic spread so that the particles are visible in different sizes. The release results of nanoparticles in vitro showed that at pH=1.2, the release percentage of phycocyanin is low (the first 2 hours). So that it fluctuates in the range of 7 to 13%. But after this stage (pH=7.4), the release rate increased significantly and from 35 to 71% at 3 and 4 hours, respectively. The use of pure phycocyanin in ice cream formulation improved the hardness, melting percentage, texture, hardness, crystalline intensity and coldness. But these indices were reported at a more favorable level in the treatment formulated with nanoencapsulated phycocyanin. The color index in ice cream formulated with pure phycocyanin was more desirable and more acceptable compared to the treatment with nanoencapsulated phycocyanin. Due to the properties of phycocyanin, especially the nanoencapsulated form, it can be used as a biological dye and improver the quality and sensory properties in various ice creams.

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Following the concerns created in the field of using synthetic preservatives in various foods, it seems necessary to pay attention to natural compounds with preservative properties. Phycocyanin extracted from spirulina microalgae is one of these compounds. The aim of the present study was to extract (using enzymatic method) and nanoencapsulation of this pigment with maltodextrin-sodium caseinate combination coating and evaluate the antioxidant and antibacterial activity (against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Yersinia ruckeri and Streptococcus iniae) of nanocapsules in comparison with pure phycocyanin. The results showed that with increasing the concentration of phycocyanin (in both pure and nanoencapsulated forms), the antioxidant and antibacterial activity of the treatments increased significantly (p<0.05). Comparison of the properties of the treatments on days 0 and 60 (stored at -18°C) showed that the antioxidant and antibacterial activity of pure phycocyanin was significantly reduced over time (p<0.05). But the nanoencapsulation technique prevents the mentioned properties from changing and helps to preserve them. Among gram-positive bacteria, Listeria monocytogenes was more sensitive than the other two bacteria and all concentrations used had an inhibitory effect on this bacteri. Staphylococcus aureus was resistant to two concentrations of 2.5 and 5 μg/ml and Streptococcus iniae to three concentrations of 2.5, 5 and 10 μg/ml. Among the two gram-negative bacteria, Yersinia ruckeri was more sensitive and the concentrations used, with the exception of concentrations of 2.5 and 5 μg/ml, had an inhibitory effect on both bacteria. According to the results of the dilution method, for the studied bacteria, the MIC range was between 50-500 and the MBC between 100-500 μg/ml. Also, the lowest MIC was recorded for Listeria monocytogenes and the highest MBC was recorded for Streptococcus iniae. It can be concluded from this research that first, pure phycocyanin has antioxidant and antibacterial activity; second, nanoencapsulation of this pigment with combined coating of maltodextrin-sodium caseinate improves these properties and their stability during the storage period.
 

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 The present study aimed to encapsulate thymol and resveratrol prepared with zein-caseinate composite nanoparticles and to investigate their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. For this purpose, liquid-liquid dispersion method was used to prepare zein-caseinate composite nanoparticles. In this study, the effect of different concentrations ratio of thymol and resveratrol (zero to 100%) and different ratios of core to coating (1:10 and 1:20) on the ability to inhibit DPPH free radicals, the reducing power of iron ions and antimicrobial activity on Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes was investigated in culture media and milk. The results showed that the sample containing 75% thymol and 25% resveratrol with a ratio of 1 to 10 of core to coating had the highest ability to inhibit DPPH free radicals and the reducing power of iron ions, and it was found that the increase in the coating concentration except for the sample containing 75% thymol, led to an increase in the Inhibition power of DPPH free radicals and reducing power of iron ion. Listeria bacteria in the TSB culture medium were the most sensitive bacteria to the prepared samples, and the strongest prepared nanoparticles, which had the lowest MIC and MBC, belonged to the sample containing 75% thymol and 25% resveratrol with a core-to-wall ratio of 1:10, and in most samples, The bacteria in milk were more resistant to these nanoparticles than the culture medium. Finally, it can be said that the sample containing 75% thymol and 25% resveratrol with a core-to-wall ratio of 1 to 10 can be selected as a combination with appropriate antioxidant and antimicrobial power.
 

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In interest of increasing demand for natural foods free of artificial preservatives, this study aimed to Controlling the antioxidant properties of green tea extract (GT) through its encapsulation in chitosan nanoparticles (CS-NP) and to investigate its preservative effects on surimi. The results showed that GT-loaded chitosan nanoparticle (CS-NP-GT) was significantly effective in reducing the lipid oxidation of surimi by determination of Thiobarbituric acid and free fatty acids. Chemical, microbial and sensory analyzes of surimi with CS-NP-GT treatment showed a significant difference compared to other treatments (p <0.05). At the end of the storage period, surimi treatment with CS-NP-GT caused 2.6 log cycles reduction of lactic acid bacteria, 2.55 log cycles reduction of Enterobacteriaceae, 4.32 log cycles reduction of aerobic mesophilic bacteria, 3.7 log cycles reduction of Bacillus cereus and 2.61 log cycles reduction of mold and yeast. Also in the sensory evaluation, E-0.1-GT had higher score on the ninth day of storage compared to surimi prepared with other treatments. The results of this study showed that encapsulation of green tea extract with chitosan nanoparticles is a promising technology to control chemical, microbial and adverse sensory changes in surimi and increase the shelf life of this product.

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The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant properties of date seed methanolic extracts of Rabbi variety and evaluating the physicochemical properties of zein nanoparticles loaded with these extracts. Ultrasonic treatment was used to extract methanolic extract from date seed powder and antisolvent precipitation method was used to encapsulate date seed methanolic extracts in amounts of 0.05, 0.1, 0.15 and 0.2 g in zein biopolymer carrier. In this study, the total phenolic content (TPC) and half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) value of date seed extracts of Rabbi variety in 45 min, the temperature of 50⁰C of ultrasonic bath and 70% methanol solvent concentration were obtained respectively 369.47 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g dry weight and 5.08 µg/m1. By increasing the ratio of encapsulated extract in zein carrier from 0.1 to 0.4, the encapsulation efficiency from 85.90 to 95.19% and the size of zein particles loaded with methanolic extracts from 129.95 to 183.30 nm increased and the zeta potential of nanoparticles decreased from +19.15 to +14.48 mV. The size and zeta potential of extract-free zein particles were determined 109.30 nm and +21.96 mV, respectively. The results of ATR-FTIR analysis indicated that with increase the ratio of methanolic extract encapsulated in the zein carrier, the stretching peak of O‒H⋯O bond changed and increased from 3292.85 to 3294.85 cm^-1. In Investigating the FE-SEM images, extract-free zein nanoparticles and zein nanoparticles loaded with date seed extracts had semi-spherical morphology. Overall, the hydrophobic nature of zein carrier caused it to bind with the phenolics of Rabbi date seed extract through non-covalent, van der Waals, hydrogen, and hydrophobic interactions. Therefore, it can be used as a strong carrier for the encapsulation of date seed extracts.

 

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Today, due to the high nutritional value of fish, consumers' interest in using ready-to-eat foods based on fish is increasing worldwide. However, due to the presence of high amounts of protein and polyunsaturated fatty acids, aquatic products are highly sensitive to oxidation and the growth of microorganisms. The purpose of this research was to investigate the possibility of delaying oxidation and microbial spoilage and maintaining the quality and safety of rainbow salmon burgers during the storage period in the refrigerator using nano-encapsulated peppermint essential oil. Peppermint essential oil was nanoencapsulated by using a combination of gum arabic and soy protein isolate. Then it was added to the fish burger formulation at the levels of 0, 0.05, 0.1 and 0.15%. The values of pH, total volatile nitrogen bases (TVN), peroxide indices (PV) and thiobarbituric acid (TBA), and total count of bacteria were tested during the 12-day storage period at 4°C. Particle size, PDI index, zeta potential and microencapsulation efficiency of peppermint essential oil nanocapsules were 297.4 nm, 0.328 nm, -32.17 mV and 87.24%, respectively. During the storage period, pH, TVB-N, PV and TBA values of burgers increased. Peppermint essential oil nanocapsules showed significant antioxidant and antimicrobial activity and reduced the rate of fat oxidation and bacterial growth in fish burgers. There was a positive correlation between the concentration of essential oil nanocapsules and its antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. The greatest effect of inhibiting the growth of bacteria and reducing the rate of oxidation of fats was observed in the burger containing 0.15% nanocapsules. The results of this research suggest the use of peppermint essential oil nanocapsules at a concentration of 0.15% in order to maintain quality, reduce the rate of oxidation and microbial spoilage in fish burgers.
 

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In this study, anthocyanin and phenolic compounds were extracted from pomegranate peel powder with supercritical CO₂ and Lepidium perfoliatumseed gum and maltodextrin were used as the nanoencapsulation wall. The nanoencapsulation extract was dried with a freeze dryer. Color stability and antioxidant activity of nanoencapsulation extract were evaluated. The levels of anthocyanin and phenolic compounds were evaluated by differential pH and Folin-Ciocalteu method, respectively. Particle size, nanoencapsulation efficiency of anthocyanin,nanoencapsulation phenol, color stabilityat different temperatures and pH as well as antioxidant activity were evaluated by DPPH. The amount of anthocyanin and phenol extracted in this method was 3.943±0.133 mg/g of pomegranate peel powder and 504.521±2.537 mg/g of gallic acid per 100 g, respectively. Nanoencapsulation efficiency was higher for anthocyanin than phenols. The release of anthocyanin at different pHs was different, so that anthocyanin behaved differently at different pHs. Polymerization and color increased with increasing temperature. The antioxidant activity of the fine-grained extract by DPPH method increased with increasing concentration and its IC50 was equivalent to 1.092± 0.024 m /ml.