Microencapsulação dos análogos não pungentes da capsaicina: avaliação da atividade antioxidante

Abstract

Despite the bioactive potential of capsaicin, its high pungency and susceptibility to degradation caused by environmental factors may limit its application in different systems. In this context, the development of non-pungent analogues combined with microencapsulation represents a promising strategy to preserve bioactive properties and improve the stability of these compounds. Thus, this study aimed to synthesize non-pungent capsaicin analogues, develop microcapsules containing these compounds, and evaluate the antioxidant activity of the materials in both free and microencapsulated forms. The analogues were obtained by organic synthesis and characterized using chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques. The microcapsules were produced by complex coacervation using biopolymeric materials as encapsulating agents. The resulting formulations were characterized in terms of morphology, size distribution, spectroscopic and thermal properties, and incorporation of the bioactive compounds. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using free-radical scavenging methods. The results demonstrated the successful preparation of the compounds with satisfactory yields, and the analytical techniques employed supported the formation of the target products. The formulation analyses indicated the formation of microcapsules in the micrometric range with adequate size distribution. Spectroscopic and thermal evaluations provided evidence of the incorporation of the bioactive compounds into the encapsulating matrix. The presence of the compounds in the formulations was also confirmed through the determination of apparent bioactive loading. Antioxidant assays demonstrated activity of the studied compounds in both free and microencapsulated forms, indicating that the encapsulation process influences the availability of the bioactive agents during the assays. Therefore, the results indicate that the association between synthetic bioactive compounds and microencapsulation by complex coacervation represents a promising approach for the development of systems with antioxidant activity and potential technological applications.