Bioactive compound encapsulation: Characteristics, applications in food systems, and implications for human health
Alieh Rezagholizade-shirvan, Mahya Soltani, Samira Shokri, Ramin Radfar, Masoumeh Arab, Ehsan Shamloo
Abstract
Nanotechnology plays a pivotal role in food science, particularly in the nanoencapsulation of bioactive compounds, to enhance their stability, bioavailability, and therapeutic potential. This review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the encapsulation of bioactive compounds, emphasizing the characteristics, food applications, and implications for human health. This work offers a detailed comparison of polymers such as sodium alginate, gum Arabic, chitosan, cellulose, pectin, shellac, and xanthan gum, while also examining both conventional and emerging encapsulation techniques, including freeze-drying, spray-drying, extrusion, coacervation, and supercritical anti-solvent drying. The contribution of this review lies in highlighting the role of encapsulation in improving system stability, controlling release rates, maintaining bioactivity under extreme conditions, and reducing lipid oxidation. Furthermore, it explores recent technological advances aimed at optimizing encapsulation processes for targeted therapies and functional foods. The findings underline the significant potential of encapsulation not only in food supplements and functional foods but also in supportive medical treatments, showcasing its relevance to improving human health in various contexts. • Encapsulation is widely used to enhance the bioavailability of nutrients and functional ingredients. • Bioactive compounds are protected from environmental factors (such as light, heat, and oxygen) that can degrade their nutritional value. • Many encapsulated compounds have antioxidant properties that help combat oxidative stress, potentially reducing the risk of various diseases. • Continued research on safety and efficacy will influence regulatory frameworks for encapsulated products in the food industry.