Fortification of coconut water with microencapsulated grape pomace extract towards a novel electrolyte beverage: biological, sensorial and quality aspects

A bioactive grape pomace extract (GPE) rich in polyphenols was encapsulated into alginate (GPE-Alg) or chitosan (GPE-CS) microparticles, later incorporated into coconut water. Biological and sensory properties were evaluated. Storage was performed at 4 ˚C followed by quality assessment. Evaluation of coconut water after gastrointestinal digestion on the growth pathogens and probiotic bacteria showed that the fortification with GPE-Alg and GPE-CS decreased the growth rate of pathogens when compared to non-fortified water, while promoted the growth of different bifidobacteria and lactobacilli strains. Sensory analysis allowed to conclude that the incorporation of GPE-Alg and GPE-CS did not promote significant differences in most of evaluated attributes, including aroma and flavor. The storage at 4 ˚C allowed a reduced degradation rate of total phenolics and anthocyanins for GPE-Alg and GPE-CS fortified beverage, with the half-life time of phenolic acids higher for GPE-Alg beverage and the half-life time of anthocyanins higher for GPE-CS fortified water. This study opens the opportunity in the application of food by-products in the development of novel efficient functional foods and beverages.