Phytosterols (PS) offer significant health benefits in human diet, but its poor solubility limits its effectiveness and application. This study explored enhancing PS solubility by testing thirteen food-grade coformers, three preparation methods and proportions screening to obtain the optimal formulation. Nicotinamide (Nic) was identified as the most effective coformer. A 20:1 (w/w) PS-Nic co-amorphous (CM) mixture, prepared via freeze-drying, achieved a solubility of 1536.4 μg/mL, significantly higher than pure PS. X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry confirmed the amorphous state of the mixture. Fourier-transform infrared, Raman, and 1H NMR spectroscopies, along with molecular dynamics simulations, revealed strong intermolecular interactions between PS and Nic. The PS-Nic CM demonstrated up to 60% in vitro dissolution and release within 2 h and maintained stable after storage at 4 °C for 6 months and under accelerated conditions equivalent to 10 months at room temperature. In sum, the crystal structure of PS was altered, and formed a co-amorphous system by using Nic as the optimal ligand via lyophilization to increase solubility. These findings suggest that the PS-Nic CM system has potential applications in functional foods, offering a feasible strategy to enhance the bioavailability of PS.

In the present study, production and using possibilities of powder of macaroni boiling water (PMBW) were investigated. After cooking process of macaroni, firstly pre-drying was carried out at 50 °C in a drying oven and then lyophilization process was conducted to obtain final powder product. Physicochemical characterizations like total dry matter, ash, fat, protein, pH, aw and color properties were carried out and also technological properties of sample were determined. Both macaroni boiling water and the final powder product were examined in terms of microbiological analyses. It was found that macaroni boiling water had to be processed in 6 h after cooking if the cooking water was stored at room temperature. Also, the duration of 12 h after cooking was found to be limit level for microbiological safety of cooking water if it was stored at +4 °C. Besides, scanning electron micrographs of particles and fatty acid and mineral profile of the final powder product were determined. Macaroni boiling water is a by-product having a lot of nutrients and in this study it was proved that utilization of this by-product may be feasible. The macaroni boiling water can be used as a food ingredient and also as an enrichment agent.