Starch-encapsulated, soy-based, ultraviolet-absorbing composites with feruloylated monoacyl- and diacylglycerol lipids

Ferulic acid is a hydroxy cinnamic acid derivative found ubiquitously throughout the plant kingdom, is especially abundant in rice and corn bran, and possesses excellent ultraviolet (UV) and antioxidant properties. Ferulic acid was enzymatically incorporated into soybean oil to form feruloylated monoacyl- and diacylglycerols (FAG). The FAG possess the UV-absorbing and antioxidant properties of ferulic acid but are water insoluble and extremely lipophilic. These characteristics make FAG attractive in the cosmeceutical industry as an all-natural replacement for petroleum-based sunscreen active ingredients and antioxidants. The FAG were synthesized from the transesterification of soybean oil with ethyl ferulate catalyzed by the commercial lipase, Novozym 435 (Candida antartica lipase B). The FAG were encapsulated as microdroplets within a starch matrix via steam jet cooking (140 °C and 225 kPa). Up to 50% (w/w) of the feruloylated lipids was encapsulated into the starch matrix with the microdroplets ranging in size from 1 to 10 μm. Transmittance and irradiance measurements of UV radiation (300–400 nm) through thin films of neat FAG (not manipulated after FAG synthesis) and starch-encapsulated FAG showed that the FAG retained its ultraviolet-absorbing efficacy after steam jet cooking. Furthermore, starch-encapsulation of the FAG was found to enhance the ultraviolet absorbance of the feruloylated lipids. When encapsulated at 50% (w/w) in the starch matrix, one-half of the coverage (mg/cm2) of FAG was required to block the same amount or more UV radiation as neat FAG. The starch-encapsulated FAG was formulated as an aqueous dispersion without the need for emulsifiers or surfactants. The dispersions were drum dried to a powder and shown to be easily reconstituted into water dispersions without the loss of ultraviolet-absorbing efficacy.