Fostering Lavender as a Source for Valuable Bioactives for Food and Pharmaceutical Applications through Extraction and Microencapsulation

Lavender flowers were used in this study as a source of phytochemicals as naturally occurring antioxidants. Two different extraction techniques were applied, such as ultrasound-assisted (UAE) and supercritical fluids (SCE) methods. The comparative evaluation of the phytochemicals profile evidenced a higher content of chlorophyll a and b of 5.22 +/- 0.12 mg/g dry weight (D.W.) and 2.95 +/- 0.16 mg/g D.W, whereas the carotenoids content was 18.24 +/- 0.04 mg/g D.W. in the SCE extract. Seven main compounds were found in both extracts: beta-linalool, eucalyptol, linalool acetate, beta-trans-ocimene, and limonene in SCE and linalool acetate, beta-linalool, 6-methyl-2-(2-oxiranyl)-5-hepten-2-ol, linalool oxide, lavandulyl acetate and camphor in UAE. The (n-3) acids had a higher contribution in SCE. The extracts were microencapsulated in different combinations of wall materials based on polysaccharides and milk proteins. The four variants showed different phytochemical and morphological profiles, with a better encapsulating efficiency for proteins (up to 98%), but with a higher content of encapsulated carotenoids for polysaccharides, the latter showing remarkable antimicrobial activity against selected microorganisms. Carboxymethyl cellulose and whey proteins led to a double encapsulation of lipophilic compounds. The powders were tested in two food matrices as ingredients, with multiple targeted functions, such as flavoring, antimicrobial, antioxidant activity that can successfully replace synthetic additives.