Microencapsulated Propolis to Enhance the Antioxidant Properties of Fresh Fish Burgers

Abstract

The aim of the study was to enhance the antioxidant properties of fish burgers with microencapsulated propolis. Spray‐drying process was used to microencapsulate propolis (30 g in 100 mL of ethanol 70% v/v) by means of gum Arabic and Capsul in different ratios (1:6 for gum Arabic and Capsul and then 1:20 just for Capsul). Once defined the optimal microencapsulation conditions, an alcohol‐free powder able to mask the strong odor of propolis was obtained, thus promoting a potential food application as source of phenolics and antioxidants. Specifically, 5% w/w of spray‐dried propolis was incorporated in fish burgers. To improve their sensory properties, new ingredients such as potato flakes (3%, 5%, 7% and 10% w/w) and extra virgin olive oil (9% w/w) were tested and optimized to give a final fish product with good acceptability. Proper tests on burgers also demonstrated an effective increase of both phenolic content and antioxidant activity. Practical Applications Propolis exhibits strong antioxidant properties because of its high content of polyphenols. Thus, it can be potentially used as natural food additive and functional food ingredient, but its application to food products is still limited because of its strong and unpleasant taste and odor that generally compromise food acceptability. The results of this study increase the possibility to embed the propolis as a microencapsulated natural ingredient in various foods to enhance antioxidant properties and phenolic contents.

Fish burger enriched by olive oil industrial by‐product

“…The same trend was also found in terms of texture, with a score (5.08) lower than the control sample (7.58). In particular, the addition of dry olive flour gave burgers more bulky and less juicy (Spinelli et al., ). So, the overall quality was generally compromised and reached score under the acceptability threshold.…”

“…The same trend was also found in terms of texture, with a score (5.08) lower than the control sample (7.58). In particular, the addition of dry olive flour gave burgers more bulky and less juicy (Spinelli et al, 2015).…”

New emerging fields of application of propolis

“…This remarkable combination makes it an excellent candidate for preserving different foods. Successful experiments have been performed for utilization of propolis extracts in the preservation of numerous products: fruit juices [62][63][64][65], fruits [68][69][70][71][72][73][74][75][76][77], vegetables [78][79][80][81][82][83][84][85], eggs [86][87][88][89][90][91], meat and fish products [92][93][94][95][96][97][98][99][100] (Table 2). This field of application of propolis is rapidly growing, as indicated by the growing number of publications.…”

“…Hawaiiana) Ethanol extract Llanta Azul apiary, Zaragoza (Antioquia -Colombia) [77] Vegetables Rice (Oryza sativa, var. hinohikari) Absolute ethanol, methylene chloride and hexane extracts Brazilian green propolis [78] Carrot (minimally processed) 25% Water and alcohol extracts Brazilian green propolis [79] Lettuce Ethanol extract Bragança, Portugal [80] Cucumber 70% Ethanol extracts Pato Branco (PR), Brazil [81] Beans, carrots against white rot disease Alcohol extract Iraq [82] Mixed vegetables for soup Propolis extract Argentina [83] Celery, leek and butternut squash (minimally processed) Ethanolic extract; standardized to 10% propolis extract Mendoza province, Argentina [84] Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) Ethanol extract Brazilian green propolis [85] Eggs Eggs quality during storage 70% Ethanol extract Hatay province, Turkey [86,87] Japanese quail eggs 70% Ethanol extract Hatay province, Turkey [88][89][90] Hens eggs Ethanol extract Parana state, Brazil, [91] Meat products Fresh oriental sausage 95% Ethanol extract Cairo, Egypt [92] Sausages 96% Ethanol extract Boyacá, Colombia [93] Fermented meat sausage "Alheira" 95 % ethanol Vila Franca, Viana do Castelo, Portugal [94] Beef patties Commercial ethanol extracts Sonora, Mexico, poplar type [95] Poultry meat product-cured cooked ham 96% Ethanol extract Slovakia [96] Fish products Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fillets, frozen storage Water extract Egypt [97] Cachama fish (Piaractus brachypomus) fillets (refrigeration) 96% Ethanol extract Boyacá, Colombia [98] Fresh fish burgers 70% Ethanol extract La California, LI, Italy [99] Fresh shibuta (Barbus grypus) fillets Water extract Fanus Natural Company, Trabzon, Turkey [100] Others Milk protein concentrate (diary beverages) 94 % Ethanol extract Water extract Canada [101] Food packaging Chitosan-propolis coated polypropylene films 80% Ethanol extract Konya region, Turkey. [102] Antimicrobial edible coating of Bell Pepper 95% Ethanol extract China [103] Active film with antimicrobial effect, reduces oxidation of butter during storage 70% Ethanol extract Brazilian red propolis …”

Effect of chitosan‐propolis edible coatings on stability of refrigerated cachama (Piaractus brachypomus) vacuum‐packed fish fillets

“…These substances, together with the bioactive compounds, can interact with other components present in drugs and food matrices, thus producing undesired substances. In this sense, encapsulation in edible carriers, such as maltodextrin, has been proposed as an alternative for its inclusion in food formulations and as an active packaging material …”