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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.

Chocolate is consumed largely worldwide and it is known as one of the most craved foods. The market of chocolate products is growing steadily and is expected to continue to grow in the coming years. The aim of the present study was to formulate chocolate pralines with enriched sensory and bioactive attributes by incorporating different types of honey (false indigo, buckwheat, rapeseed, mandarin and sage) and ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea L.) extract as ingredients of the filler. The honey samples were subjected to physico-chemical analysis, sugar analysis using the HPLC-RID methodology, as well as to evaluation of antioxidant capacity. The bioactive and sensory properties and sugar composition of the formulated pralines were determined. Bioactive characterization included the determination of phenolic profile by HPLC-PAD methodology. Buckwheat honey showed the most pronounced antioxidant capacity with the value of 3.21 and 2.06 µmol Trolox/g dmb, determined by ABTS and DPPH assays, respectively, while the lowest values were measured for mandarin honey (0.41 and 0.32 µmol Trolox/g dmb). Specific bioactive compounds of cocoa: epicatechin, theobromine and caffeine, were detected in all formulated chocolate pralines, as well as the most predominant phenolic compounds of ground ivy: chlorogenic, caffeic, rosmarinic acid and rutin. Such enriched bioactive composition contributed to the pronounced antioxidant capacity of chocolate pralines. Finally, chocolate pralines prepared with mandarin honey were sensory evaluated as the sweetest and gained the highest scores for the overall acceptability.

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.

Through the decades, coffee has been representing one of the most consumed beverages worldwide and consequently, during the coffee cherry processing, significant amount of coffee byproducts is generating, thus ending as an agro- industrial waste. Besides macro and micronutrient content, coffee cascara and coffee silverskin are coffee by-products which can have valuable bioactive potential. For that purpose, ethanol extracts and water infusions (beverages) of green coffee, roasted coffee, coffee cascara and coffee silverskin were analysed for total phenolic content, antioxidant capacity and individual identification of polyphenolic compounds by High Performance Liquid Chromatography Analysis paired with Photo-Diode Array detector (HPLC- PDA), with further sensory analysis of beverages. Results showed that beverages were generally evaluated with the higher bioactive potential than ethanol extracts, while roasted coffee beverages exhibited the highest content of TPC and antioxidant capacity in comparison to the ethanol extract. Among all samples, green coffee beverage was evaluated as the most valuable source of 5-caffeoylquinic acid (36.7 mg/g dw), while coffee cascara (9.2 mg/g dw) contained the highest content of caffeine. Although roasted beverage expectedly scored as the highest acceptable (6.2), silverskin and cascara were evaluated with relatively satisfactory results of the overall acceptability (4.6- 5.2), thus showing the potential for the improvement in terms of preparation and, furthermore, greater consumer acceptance.