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Exploring Chlorella honey for the improvement of energy boost hydrogels
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Resumo(s)
Energy gels have been gaining relevance in the market due to search for healthier lifestyles and the growing trend of practicing exercise. Besides delivering a boost of energy through the supplementation of carbohydrates, these products may also be supplemented with other active components that bring additional advantages. This work aimed the development of energy hydrogels with locust bean gum and Chlorella Honey™, characterization of the nutritional profiles and sensory properties, and improvement of antioxidant properties through microalgae supplementation. Chlorella was supplemented to a 0.6 % (w/v) locust bean hydrogel at a concentration of 1.5 and 4.0 % (w/v). Enriched hydrogel formulations exhibited Newtonian behaviour and a viscosity of 1.25 ± 0.04, and 1.70 ± 0.20 Pa s for 1.5, and 4.0 % Chlorella hydrogel, respectively. The hydrogels presented a vivid yellow-green colour associated with algae supplementation and a pH ≅ 4.5. Carbohydrate concentration was close to 50 %, and protein content was 0.60 ± 0.02 % and 1.40 ± 0.02 % in 1.5 and 4.0 % formulations, respectively. Moreover, microalgae supplementation added phenolic compounds to the formulation which improved its antioxidant activity. Results from the sensory analysis revealed that the 1.5 was better accepted than the 4.0 % Chlorella formulation. Moreover, the supplementation of Chlorella to the formulations increased its Ca, Mg, K, Na, Cu, Cr, Zn and Fe contents, nearly reaching the daily recommended intake of Fe. To conclude, energy gels enriched with Chlorella Honey™, can be a healthy supplement with interesting nutritional properties to restore athletes body balance, before or after intense sports practice.
Descrição
Funding information:
The authors are grateful to the Portuguese Government for the financial support through national funds: from Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) (UIDB/04138/2020 and UIDP/04138/2020 (iMED. ULisboa)) and Project 15980 (COMPETE2030-FEDER-00711700, LISBOA2030-FEDER-00711700). The authors thank Allmicroalgae company for providing the microalgae used in this work. The designer Nuno Monge is also acknowledged for the graphical abstract design.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 The Authors
Palavras-chave
Antioxidant Hydrogel Microalgae Minerals Natural colouring Protein Agronomy and Crop Science