Grape seed extract: additive and functional ingredient

Grape seed extracts (GSE) can be used as functional ingredients due to their beneficial effect on human health but they are sensitive to high temperatures and have strong astringency and bitterness. Microencapsulation can provide an individual package for ingredients like GSE, acting as a barrier which retards the damage and prevents unpleasant tastes. Several studies have been done to evaluate the possibility of using GSE to substitute synthetic antioxidants and antimicrobials with positive results and no impact on the sensory profile of the products. On the other hand only a few articles deal with the use of GSE as functional ingredients and in these cases because of the concentration of the extract, there is a need to mask the taste of the GSE.