Environmental and Economic Analysis of the Production of Oregano Oil Microparticles

Hugo José Martins Carvalho, Filipe Hobi Bordon Sosa (), Paula Quinteiro, Ana Cláudia Dias, Mario Antonio Torres-Acosta, João Henrique Picado Madalena Santos () and Joyce Maria Gomes da Costa
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Hugo José Martins Carvalho: Institute of Science and Technology, University of Federal dos Vales Jequitinhonha e Mucuri (UFVJM), Diamantina 39100-000, MG, Brazil
Filipe Hobi Bordon Sosa: CICECO–Aveiro Institute of Materials, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
Paula Quinteiro: CESAM–Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Environment and Planning, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
Ana Cláudia Dias: CESAM–Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Environment and Planning, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
Mario Antonio Torres-Acosta: The Advanced Centre for Biochemical Engineering, Department of Biochemical Engineering, University College London, Torrington Place, London WC1E 6BT, UK
João Henrique Picado Madalena Santos: Department of Biochemical and Pharmaceutical Technology, São Paulo University, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes n 580 Bloco 16, São Paulo 05508-000, SP, Brazil
Joyce Maria Gomes da Costa: Institute of Science and Technology, University of Federal dos Vales Jequitinhonha e Mucuri (UFVJM), Diamantina 39100-000, MG, Brazil

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 18, 1-14

Abstract: The interest in using essential oils for biotechnological and biomedical applications has been increasing because of their unique properties, such as their roles as preservatives, antioxidants, antimicrobial agents, and therapeutic agents, with oregano oil being a notable example. However, the bioactivity and stability of oregano oil can be compromised because of its volatile nature and external factors like exposure to light, heat, or oxygen. To protect oregano oil from these adverse effects and enhance its potential, microencapsulation has been employed. Nevertheless, studies evaluating the economic feasibility of this process are still limited. In this context, this study combines an environmental impact assessment by applying the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology and an economic evaluation of three different scenarios (A, B, and C) for the production of oregano oil microparticles by a spray dryer. In Scenario A, only modified starch was used to prepare the emulsion; in Scenario B, the modified starch was replaced with gum arabic; and in Scenario C, the gum arabic, maltodextrin, and modified starch were combined. The results indicated that Scenario B presents the best environmental performance for all impact categories analyzed (global warming, fossil resource scarcity, mineral resource scarcity, terrestrial acidification, freshwater eutrophication, and marine eutrophication). However, the composting of bio-waste end-of-life presents better environmental performance for the other scenarios (A and C). In Scenario B, the process with the lowest production cost per gram of microcapsules is the most promising for meeting the demands of the aspects analyzed.

Keywords: oregano oil; microencapsulation; environmental and economic analysis; life cycle assessment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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