Functional foods help to compensate imbalanced diets and may
protect against some diet related diseases (Aranceta and Serra
2003). Antioxidants may be the most promising functional ingredient
to add to a product (Jesionkowska and others 2009). Grape
seed extracts (GSE) are a rich source of polyphenols compounds
especially phenolic acids, flavan-3-ols such as catechins and their
isomers and proanthocyanidins (Makris and others 2007). It is
known that, in adequate amounts, polyphenols have a beneficial
effect on human health; their free radical scavenging property protects
cells from lesions caused by these highly reactive molecules.
Other beneficial effects from polyphenols on human health are:
antiinflammatory and antiallergenic properties; reduced risk of
cardiovascular diseases; and cancer chemopreventive properties
(Shi and others 2003).
Using GSE as functional ingredients represents a challenge, because
they are sensitive to oxidation, epimerization, and polymer-ization at high temperatures (Davidov-Pardo and others 2011).
They are highly reactive with proteins and have a strong astringent
taste and smell (Chira and others 2009).
One way to protect and mask the flavor of the GSE is through
microencapsulation. Microcapsules can protect sensitive ingredients
because it is an oxygen, light, and temperature barrier that
retards chemical changes and prevents unpleasant taste. Davidov-
Pardo and others (2012) microencapsulated GSE by spray drying
using zein, mesquite gum, and maltodextrin as wall materials.
Total of 2 formulations provided optimal protection for
GSE and retarded its release: T3 with a 44% of mesquite gum
and 56% of zein and T4 with a 34% maltodextrin and 66% of
zein.
Cookies are a potential candidate for the addition of GSE as
a functional ingredient because they are a popular bakery item
and are consumed by nearly all levels of society in both developed
and developing nations. The popularity of cookies may be related
to their good taste, variety, low cost and convenience (Handa
and others 2011; Laguna and others 2011). Dutch respondents
were in favor of cookies as a potential vehicle for antioxidants
(Jesionkowska and others 2009).
With regard to the addition of GSE in bakery products, baking
of bread with added GSE resulted in a decrease in the antioxidant
activity by 30% to 40% (Peng and others 2010). Misan and others
(2009) successfully added 2 different antioxidant plant extracts to
cookies. Al-Hooti and others (2002) substituted in cookies regular