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Ocimum gratissimum (OG) is a species rich in essential oils (EO), which is known for its antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. This study aimed to encapsulate the essential oil of Ocimum gratissimum (OGE), determine its chemical composition, and evaluate its antioxidant and antimicrobial activities against six pathogenic bacteria, comparing it with the free essential oil (OGF). The EO was extracted by hydrodistillation using a Clevenger-type apparatus, and an oil-in-water emulsion was prepared using a combination of biopolymers: maltodextrin (MA), cashew gum (CG), and inulin (IN). The chemical profile was identified using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Antioxidant activity was assessed using the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity with fluorescein (ORAC-FL) method, while the Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentrations (MBC) were determined by the microdilution method. Microparticles were formed using the spray-drying method, achieving an encapsulation efficiency of 45.2%. The analysis identified eugenol as the main compound both before and after microencapsulation. The OGE microparticles demonstrated high inhibitory and bactericidal effects against S. aureus, S. choleraesuis, and E. coli, with MIC values of 500 µg·mL−1 and MBC values of 1000 µg·mL−1, as well as antioxidant activity of 1914.0 µmol-TE·g−1. Therefore, it can be inferred that the EO of OG maintained its antimicrobial and antioxidant effects even after microencapsulation by spray-drying, making it a promising natural ingredient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The baru (Dipteryx alata Vogel) is a fruit of the Brazilian Cerrado, composed of a pleasant-tasting almond with a high oil content. The consumption of vegetable oils is suggested by the World Health Organization, but vegetable oils lack protection when extracted from their food matrix. Thus, the hydrocolloids Arabic gum (AG) and maltodextrin (MD) as well as the partially defatted cake (PDC), a co-product of the baru cold-pressed oil, were used to produce baru oil microparticles by spray drying. Fatty acid profile, emulsion stability, microparticle quality, and oxidative stability were evaluated. Baru oil is rich in omega-9 (47.3%). AG/MD (25% maltodextrin) showed better emulsion stability after 1 h of preparation, higher zeta potential (− 28.87 mV ± 0.026) and encapsulation efficiency (76.72% ± 0.002), and lower peroxide content after 4 weeks at 60 °C (28.38 meq/kg). The addition of PDC improved the efficiency parameters in relation to the standard formulation (AG). The replacement of 25% of AG by MD improved the emulsion and microparticles' characteristics and better protected the baru oil against oxidation. Through a well-known technique, this study found technological use for a co-product of the extraction of baru oil and made good use of maltodextrin, a hydrocolloid with a lower relative cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]