Globe artichoke leaf extracts and production of phytotherapeutic solid lipid particles using high pressure technologies

The ethanolic extract of artichoke leaves is phytotherapic. Impregnation is used to protect the bioactive material and is also a means of controlling the release of the encapsulated substance while masking unwanted taste and/or color. This research describes a study of artichoke leaf extraction by five techniques and tested the formations of solid-lipid microparticles of beeswax and avocado oil loaded with these extracts by PGSS and their particle stability. Pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) using an intermittent process was optimized and presented the highest content of active compounds in the extracts, although the inulin contents (IC) were higher in the extracts obtained by conventional methods. Two different ratios between solid and liquid lipids and the extract (1:2:3 and 1:2:6; w:w:w) were studied. The particles with a major beeswax ratio showed a smaller distribution and average size (74.2 ± 6.2 µm), but no differences were observed in relation to stability. All extraction techniques were able to yield inulin (max. 173.46 ± 1.27 mg_inulin/g_extract), and with PLE only the temperature had a significant effect on the extraction yield under the studied conditions.