Nanoencapsulation of passion fruit by-products extracts for enhanced antimicrobial activity

Abstract Large amounts of passion fruit residues are underutilized by juice industries that can potentially be a source of bioactive compounds including antimicrobials. Co-precipitation with biodegradable polymers, including poly ( dl -lactide- co -glycolide) (PLGA), may be used to enhance these compounds bioactivities and provide controlled release. This study aimed to produce PLGA particles of passion fruit by-products (seed and cake) extracts with different PLGA lactide to glycolide (50:50 and 65:35) ratios using the emulsion/solvent evaporation method (ESE). Characterization analyses indicated extracts encapsulation, controlled release and spherical shape for most treatments. Particle sizes ranged from 355 to 470 nm and entrapment efficiencies (EE) from 23.8 to 79%. The Gompertz model for bacterial growth fitted well the extracts release data. Results suggest that PLGA 65:35 is more suitable to both extracts encapsulation. Although, for the cake extract, EE was significantly lower than the seed extract. The ESE encapsulation using both PLGAs notably enhanced both extracts antimicrobial activities.