Olive Mill Pomace Extract Loaded Ethylcellulose Microparticles as a Delivery System to Improve Olive Oils Oxidative Stability

The protective effect of olive mill pomace (OMP) loaded ethylcellulose microparticles as an alternative to synthetic antioxidants against the oxidation of olive oils was assessed. OMP extract was obtained by an optimized two-step solid-liquid extraction; encapsulation was performed by double emulsion solvent evaporation technique considering a theoretical loading content in phenolic compounds of 5% (w/w). The changes in the peroxide values, the p-anisidine values, the total oxidation values, the free fatty acids content, the total antioxidant activity, and the total phenolic content were synchronized under storage at 62 degrees C. The results of oxidative stability were compared with plain oils, oils enriched with synthetic antioxidants, and oils fortified with OMP extract. The encapsulation efficiency of phenolic compounds was 96.0 +/- 0.3%. The fortification of olive oils with microparticles retarded the appearance of peroxides, reduced the content of secondary oxidation products, and slowed down hydrolysis processes. The microparticles were efficiently designed to sustain the release of antioxidants to control the oxidative status of oil samples, retarding the free fatty acids formation rather than synthetic antioxidants. The results of this study bring new perspectives regarding the potential use of encapsulated extracts rich in antioxidants as an alternative to synthetic antioxidants to improve oil oxidative stability.