Department of Food Science & Technology, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Bellville 7535, South Africa.
Molecules. 2022 Aug 3;27(15):4935. doi: 10.3390/molecules27154935.
Moringa oleifera leaf powder (MOLP) is a rich source of antioxidants, protein, minerals, vitamins, and various phytochemicals and has been used to combat malnutrition in many countries. However, despite its many benefits, MOLP has low a solubility in water, necessitating the development of ways to address this issue. To improve the solubility of MOLP, solid-dispersed Moringa oleifera leaf powders (SDMOLPs) have been developed through freeze-drying, melting, microwave irradiation, and solvent evaporation methods using polyethylene glycols (PEG4000 and PEG6000) (1:1) as hydrophilic carriers. The solid dispersions were evaluated for their proximate composition using standard analytical procedures. Elemental composition was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Water absorption capacity (WAC) and water-solubility were further evaluated as functional properties. Proximate composition revealed that MOLP and SDMOLPs were rich in protein, energy, carbohydrate, ash, and fat contents. MOLP solid dispersions are a major source of minerals (Ca, Mg, Cu, and Zn), and can be used to alleviate many mineral deficiencies. All solid dispersions had significantly higher (p < 0.05) solubilities (ranging from 54 to 64%) and WAC (ranging from 468.86 to 686.37%), relative to that of pure MOLP. The increased solubility of SDMOLPs may be attributed to the hydrogen bonds and intermolecular interactions between MOLP and the hydrophilic carriers. The results indicate that the solid dispersion technique can be successfully employed to improve the solubility of MOLP. And the solid-dispersed MOLPs with enhanced functional properties may be useful as functional ingredients in foods and beverages, dietary supplements, or nutraceutical formulations.
辣木叶粉（MOLP）是一种富含抗氧化剂、蛋白质、矿物质、维生素和各种植物化学物质的来源，已被许多国家用于对抗营养不良。然而，尽管 MOLP 有许多好处，但它在水中的溶解度很低，因此需要开发解决这个问题的方法。为了提高 MOLP 的溶解度，通过冷冻干燥、熔融、微波辐射和溶剂蒸发方法，使用聚乙二醇（PEG4000 和 PEG6000）（1:1）作为亲水性载体，开发了固体分散的辣木叶粉（SDMOLP）。使用标准分析程序评估固体分散体的近似组成。使用扫描电子显微镜（SEM）和能量色散 X 射线光谱（EDS）对元素组成进行了表征。进一步评估了水吸收能力（WAC）和水溶性作为功能特性。近似组成表明，MOLP 和 SDMOLP 富含蛋白质、能量、碳水化合物、灰分和脂肪。MOLP 固体分散体是矿物质（Ca、Mg、Cu 和 Zn）的主要来源，可以用于缓解许多矿物质缺乏症。所有固体分散体的溶解度（54%至 64%）和 WAC（468.86 至 686.37%）均显著高于纯 MOLP（p < 0.05）。SDMOLP 溶解度的增加可能归因于 MOLP 与亲水性载体之间的氢键和分子间相互作用。结果表明，固体分散技术可成功用于提高 MOLP 的溶解度。具有增强功能特性的固体分散 MOLP 可用作食品和饮料、膳食补充剂或营养保健品中的功能性成分。
