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Chia Seed Oil as a Source of Omega-3 To Fortify an Instant Soup Using Amylose Inclusion Complexes: Study of In Vitro
Andrea E Di Marco1, Daniela E Igartúa2,3, Darío M Cabezas2,3
1Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos (CIDCA), CONICET La Plata, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas (FCE-UNLP), CICPBA, calle 47 y 116, La Plata, 1900, Argentina.
Plant Foods for Human Nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)
|November 6, 2025
Summary
Amylose inclusion complexes effectively deliver omega-3 fatty acids from chia seed oil in instant soups. These complexes protect the oil during preparation and digestion, enhancing functional food development.
Area of Science:
- Food Science
- Nutritional Science
- Materials Science
Background:
- Chia seed oil is rich in alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3) but faces challenges in food applications due to oxidation and hydrophobicity.
- Encapsulation technologies, particularly amylose inclusion complexes, show promise for delivering bioactive compounds like omega-3.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of amylose inclusion complexes as delivery systems for alpha-linolenic acid from chia seed oil within an instant soup matrix.
- To assess the stability and in vitro digestibility of these omega-3 enriched complexes.
Main Methods:
- Amylose inclusion complexes were prepared with chia seed oil.
- Complexes were incorporated into an instant soup formulation.
- In vitro digestibility was evaluated using the INFOGEST 2.0 protocol.
- Omega-3 content and stability were analyzed using gas chromatography.
Main Results:
- Gas chromatography confirmed a significant increase in omega-3 content in soups containing the inclusion complexes.
- The omega-3 compound demonstrated high stability during the instant soup preparation process.
- Approximately 20% of alpha-linolenic acid was released post-digestion, unaffected by the soup matrix.
- Complexes showed stability in gastric conditions and selective degradation in the intestinal phase.
Conclusions:
- Amylose inclusion complexes serve as effective carriers for protecting and delivering omega-3 fatty acids from chia seed oil in instant soups.
- This technology supports the development of functional foods and the valorization of chia crops.
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