Abstract
The objective of this research was to develop nutraceutical tablets enriched with phytonutrients and antioxidants by dehydrating beetroot pomace—rich in bioactive compounds—and integrating it with pomace extract obtained via ultrasonication. The study evaluated the packaging, microstructure, and physicochemical characteristics of freeze-dried powder.
Highlights
- The freeze-dried powder showed enhanced physical properties and a preferable phytochemical composition.
- The in vitro release formulation demonstrated satisfactory dissolution efficacy.
- After storage, nutraceutical retained phytochemical properties at 25°C.
The powder showed a moisture content of 2.55%, water activity of 0.32, a Hausner ratio of 1.19, and hygroscopicity below 20%, indicating favorable flow and stability properties. The average particle size was 275.74 μm and Phytochemical analysis confirmed high levels of betalains, phenolics, and flavonoids, while FTIR (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy) verified the presence of functional groups associated with these bioactive compounds while scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed uniform morphology.
Phytochemical analysis showed high concentrations: 5.19 mg/g betalains, 193.26 mg GAE/g total phenolics, and 49.32 mg QE/g flavonoids. The powder was combined with extract in a 1:1 (w/v) ratio and compressed into tablets (500 ± 10 mg). Tablets disintegrated in ~ 30 min and showed 85% in vitro release of phytochemicals within 50 min. After five months of storage at 25 ± 2 °C, tablets retained 81.16 ± 1.32% of betalains, 89.04 ± 1.15% of total phenolics, 76.19 ± 1.08% of flavonoids, and 78.24 ± 1.09% of antioxidant activity.
This research effectively valorizes beetroot waste into bioavailable nutraceutical tablets with sustained bioactivity and stability. Future research may focus on clinical validation of health benefits, scaling up production, and evaluating consumer acceptance for commercial application.
Read more here
Kaur, A., Ghoshal, G. Characterization of Betalains-Enriched Nutraceutical Tablets from Beta vulgaris L. Pomace Powder. Waste Biomass Valor (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12649-025-03224-0
Read also our introduction article on Introduction to Tablets in Nutraceuticals here:
