Bioactive Compounds and Physicochemical Characteristics of Avocado Pear (Peresea americana Mill) Peel Oil Extracts and Microcapsules

Aims: Fruit peels such as avocado peels are rich in bioactive compounds. Avocado peel is usually discarded after consumption of the pulp. This study was aimed at harnessing the rich antioxidant properties of the peel extract in the formulation of bioactive-rich microcapsule.

Study Design: The study design involved evaluating the microcapsules effectiveness and efficiency through the analytical evaluation of the physicochemical and microstructural properties.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Food Science and Technology, Federal University of Agriculture Akure.

Methodology: Avocado peel oil was extracted using hexane and methanol and the extract with better bioactive activities was microencapsulated using corn and cassava starch cell wall materials. The bioactive contents and stabilities of the extracts and microcapsules were evaluated.

Results: While hexane extract had better physicochemical activities, the methanolic extract had better bioactive activities. The fatty acid profile of avocado peel oil was 87% saturated, 3.5% monounsaturated and 9.4% polyunsaturated. Corn starch was a better cell wall material for retaining total phenol, DPPH radical scavenging activities, OH• scavenging ability and in-vitro starch digestibility than cassava starch cell wall. The FTIR indicated OH, C=H, C=O and C-H as the main functional groups.

Conclusion: This investigation proposes the utilization of avocado peel extract as a promising, low-cost source of bioactive compounds suitable for microencapsulation with high bioactive retention at 30 days.