Encapsulation of rose essential oil using whey protein concentrate-pectin nanocomplexes: Optimization of the effective parameters

The aim of this study was to optimize the preparation of whey protein concentrate (WPC)-pectin nanocomplexes as a carrier for rose essential oil (REO) via response surface methodology (RSM); with initial concentrations of WPC (4-8%) and pectin (0.5-1%) at different pH values (3-9). The highest encapsulation efficiency of REO was 96.97% for 4.0:0.5 ratio of WPC:pectin at pH = 3. The highest viscosity was obtained at 4:1 ratio of WPC:pectin and pH = 3, and the highest stability (96.5%) was related to 4:1 ratio of WPC:pectin at pH = 9; the lowest stability (81%) was observed at 4:1 ratio of WPC:pectin at pH = 3. Finally, the highest solubility occurred at pH = 9 while the lowest solubility was seen in the treatments prepared at pH = 3 due to the creation of a strong WPC-pectin coacervate complex.

Automated summary

This study aimed to optimize the preparation of whey protein concentrate (WPC)-pectin nanocomplexes as a carrier for rose essential oil (REO) using response surface methodology (RSM). The results showed that the highest encapsulation efficiency was achieved at a 4:0.5 ratio of WPC:pectin and pH = 3, while the highest stability was related to a 4:1 ratio of WPC:pectin at pH = 9. Additionally, the highest viscosity was obtained when using a 4:1 ratio of WPC:pectin and pH = 3, while the lowest stability was observed under the same conditions. Finally, the highest solubility was reported at pH = 9, with the lowest solubility seen at pH = 3 due to complex formation between WPC and pectin.