Cornus mas: From Plant Taxonomy and Distribution Area to Highly Valorization of Phytochemicals by Microencapsulation in Biopolymeric Matrices Containing Probiotics

In this study, a comprehensive approach to the taxonomy and the distribution areas of <i>Cornus mas</i> (commonly known as cornelian cherry) is presented, considering the superior valorization of bioactive compounds through co-microencapsulation in a unique matrix combination, together with probiotic bacteria. According to the phytochemical profile, the whole plant of cornelian cherry includes 101 chemical compounds, classified as follows: polyphenols, terpenoids, carotenoids, vitamins, carbohydrates, acids, and hydrocarbons. In general, the bioactive compounds are highly sensitive to digestion and external factors, such as oxygen, pH, temperature, etc. In order to improve the bioaccesibility and the storage stability of the polyphenols, a solid-liquid ultrasound assisted method was applied to deliver an anthocyanin-enriched extract, which was microencapsulated together with <i>Lacticaseibacillus casei (L. casei)</i> by freeze-drying in a unique combination of whey protein isolate (WPI) and maltodextrin (MD) as wall materials. Two powders were obtained, with and without the probiotic bacteria. The data obtained in this study showed a high encapsulation efficiency (82.16-88.95%) of anthocyanins, whereas for <i>L. casei</i>, the microencapsulation efficiency reached 80%. The co-microencapsulated powder showed a viable cell count of 3.80·10⁹ CFU/g dry matter (D.M.). The microencapsulated powders showed a significant amount of total polyphenols (8.30-13.00 mg of gallic acid equivalent per gram D.M.). Furthermore, the in vitro digestibility of the anthocyanins highlighted the protective effect of the microencapsulation matrix in the stomach, whereas a slow release was observed in the simulated intestinal conditions. Furthermore, after 21 days of storage, the lactic acid bacteria viability was high (2.53 × 10⁹ CFU/g dry matter), which confirmed the functionality and the nutraceutical value of the co-microencapsulated powder.