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Innovative electrospun pullulan/hemp protein isolate nanofibers (PUL/HP) with lecithin were successfully formulated for the delivery of phenylethanoid glycosides (PGs) from Teucrium montanum extract, at PUL to HP ratios of 80:20, 70:30, 60:40, 50:50, 40:60, and 30:70, based on total polymer mass (w/w). A higher HP content led to a more elastic behavior, which was stimulated by a stronger entanglement between polymer and polypeptide chains. The biopolymers used showed favorable compatibility with the investigated PGs, achieving an encapsulation efficiency of over 80 %. The increased elastic behavior led to the formation of a bead-on-string morphology and a higher average diameter. The thermal stability of the loaded nanofibers was diminished by the presence of incorporated polyphenolic extract. Under simulated gastrointestinal conditions, a sustained release of total phenolic content from the delivery systems was achieved. According to the FTIR spectra, this is mainly due to the efficient interplay of hydrogen and hydrophobic interactions with the polyphenols within the polysaccharide-phospholipid-polypeptide structure. The circular dichroism spectra showed that the polyphenol extract was involved in the secondary HP structure, resulting in a rather random, uncoiled structure. These results provide a time- and cost-efficient approach to stabilize naturally immiscible biopolymers without crosslinking or emulsion preparation, while similarly altering the physicochemical properties of the drug delivery systems.

In this study, spray drying was used as a technological solution for the valorization of Teucrium montanum extract into carboxymethyl cellulose-based delivery systems (CMC), individually or in combination with collagen, guar gum, gum arabic, and kappa-carrageenan. The results showed that the process yield and morphological properties were positively influenced by the introduction of CMC binary blends. The employment of CMC resulted in a high encapsulation efficiency (77–96%) for all phenylethanoid glycosides (PGs) analyzed. Due to the low wettability of the microparticles, a relatively gradual in vitro release of the PGs was achieved. Infusion of the filling with hydrophilic T. montanum extract encapsulated in microparticles with high hydrophobic surface area proved to be a practical route for significant confectionery fortification (5–9 mg PGs per dw serving), ensuring prolonged interaction between the food matrix used and the extract under simulated gastrointestinal conditions. Based on sensory evaluation, the introduction of kudzu starch into the jelly matrix has shown a texture-modifying potential.

Ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea L.) has been known as a medicinal plant in folk medicine for generations and, as a member of the Lamiaceae family, is characterized with a high content of rosmarinic acid. The aim of the present study was to formulate delivery systems containing bioac-tive compounds from ground ivy in encapsulated form and incorporated into candies. Liposomes were examined as the encapsulation systems that were additionally coated with an alginate–plant protein gel to reduce leakage of the incorporated material. Bioactive characterization of the ground ivy extract showed a high content of total phenolics (1186.20 mg GAE/L) and rosmarinic acid (46.04 mg/L). The formulation of liposomes with the high encapsulation efficiency of rosmarinic acid (97.64%), with at least a double bilayer and with polydisperse particle size distribution was achieved. Alginate microparticles reinforced with rice proteins provided the highest encapsulation efficiency for rosmarinic acid (78.16%) and were therefore used for the successful coating of lipo-somes, as confirmed by FT‐IR analysis. Coating liposomes with alginate–rice protein gel provided prolonged controlled release of rosmarinic acid during simulated gastro‐intestinal digestion, and the same was noted when they were incorporated into candies.

Conventional and innovative (microwave-assisted and subcritical water extraction) techniques were applied to investigate the bioactive content of traditional plant - Teucrium montanum. Verbascoside and echinacoside, identified and quantified using LC-MS/MS and HPLC-PAD, were found to be the predominant phenolics in all extracts. Infusion (30 degrees C, 30 min) was characterized with the highest total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity and was further used for encapsulation into liposomes. Formulation of liposomes with a high encapsulation efficiency of echinacoside (68.27%) and verbascoside (80.60%), satisfactory physical properties, including size (326.2 nm) and polydispersity index (0.34), was achieved, although determined zeta potential (-23.03 mV) indicated their instability. Formulated liposomes were successfully coated with pectin and alginate that was also proved by FTIR analysis. Liposomes coated with pectin showed the most desirable in vitro digestion release of verbascoside and echinacoside, while alginate as liposome surface layer proved to be more appropriate for their retention during storage time.