Enhancing encapsulation efficiency: Konjac glucomannan hydrolysate as a novel coating material for flavone derivatives in rice leaves extract

This study aimed to develop a novel coating material from Konjac Glucomannan Hydrolysate (KGMH) to flavone derivates from rice leaves extract (RLE). A suitable process for producing KGMH solution with different degrees of polymerization (DP) by enzymatic treatment was developed. Mannanase enzyme (250 and 150 units/g) were used in the hydrolysis process to obtain KGMH with lower (DP4 - 7) and higher DP (DP7 - 10), respectively. The solution was then used as a coating material in spray drying with an inlet air temperature of 190 degrees C, and the powder characteristics were assessed. The results showed that although the KGMH produced a lower production yield (64%-66%) compared to gum Arabic (72.45% +/- 0.74%), KGMH was superior in terms of encapsulation efficiency of bioactive compounds (85%-95%) and antioxidant activity retention (90%-100%). FTIR spectra and X-ray diffraction confirmed the success of encapsulation by KGMH in the spray drying process. KGMH DP7-10 has successfully improved the bioaccessibility of Tricin O-glycoside after digestion. Furthermore, adding RLE encapsulated with KGMH enhanced and preserved tea products' bioactive compound content and antioxidant activity (3%-10% lower than after 24 days of storage).