Formation and stability of Eucommia ulmoides Oliver seed oil‐loaded inverse microemulsion formed by food‐grade ingredients and its antioxidant activities

Abstract

Eucommia ulmoides Oliver seed oil (E.u oil) as a functional oil is rich in many natural active components such as α‐linolenic acid (56% to 63%), vitamin E, aucubin, and so on. In this study, water‐in‐oil (W/O) microemulsions composed of Eucommia ulmoides Oliver seed oil, distilled water, a blend of Sorbitan monooleate 80 (Span 80) and Polysorbate (20) sorbitan monooleate (Tween 80), and propylene glycol were prepared for improving the compatibility of Eucommia ulmoides Oliver seed oil. Pseudoternary phase diagrams were built to illustrate the phase behavior of the microemulsions, based on hydrophilic–lipophilic balance values, cosurfactant type, the proportion of cosurfactant, and the changing environmental stress. Dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, and electrical conductivity measurements were performed to characterize the microstructural aspects. The optimum process conditions at which the Eucommia ulmoides Oliver seed oil‐loaded microemulsion had good tolerance to pH and salinity were: Propylene glycol served as cosurfactant, water–Propylene glycol, and Span 80‐Tween 80 ratios separately kept constant at 1:1 and 6:4. These microemulsions with narrow size distribution, nanoscale particle size (below 60 nm), transparent appearance had a wide range of oil phase content and free‐radical scavenging capacity toward DPPH and ABTS radicals with half‐maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 49.20 and 33.43 mg/mL, respectively.Practical ApplicationThis nanostructure, environmental stability, and antioxidant activity of microemulsions containing Eucommia ulmoides Oliver seed oil is a potential delivery system as an alternative to α‐linolenic acid and can be used for the delivery of peptides, proteins, antioxidants, and water‐soluble nutrients.

Optimization protocol and bioactivity assessment for the microwave-assisted extraction of flavonoids from Eucommia ulmoides Oliver seed meal using response surface methodology

“…The DPPH free radical scavenging capacity was calculated according to Zhu et al (2020), with slight modifications. A total of 2 mL of freshly prepared 0.246 mg/mL DPPH solution (the blank solution was equivalent ethanol) was mixed with an appropriate amount of the determinant solution in a water bath at a temperature of 25 °C in a dark place.…”

“…Because the seeds are rich in linolenic acids and linoleic acid oil, the seed oil has a high antioxidant capacity and biological activation, which can be used for the treatment of hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, lumbago (Zhang et al 2010;Wang et al 2012). As such, it is used as a nutritious plant oil for functional foods (Zhu et al 2020). The seed meal is a by-product from the production of seed oil, with E. ulmoides seed as the raw material.…”

Biological properties and potential application of extracts and compounds from different medicinal parts (bark, leaf, staminate flower, and seed) of Eucommia ulmoides: A review

“…E. ulmoides has various pharmacological effects, including anti-osteoporosis, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, immunomodulatory effects, and improved gastrointestinal function and hypoglycemic activity. E. ulmoides is widely used as medicine, healthy food, food additives, and daily chemical supplements [ 3 , 4 ]. However, research on E. ulmoides is limited ( Fig.…”