Advances in micro and nano-encapsulation of bioactive compounds using biopolymer and lipid-based transporters

BackgroundBioactive compounds possess plenty of health benefits, but they are chemically unstable and susceptible to oxidative degradation. The application of pure bioactive compounds is also very limited in food and drug formulations due to their fast release, low solubility, and poor bioavailability. Encapsulation can preserve the bioactive compounds from environmental stresses, improve physicochemical functionalities, and enhance their health-promoting and anti-disease activities.Scope and approachMicro and nano-encapsulation based techniques and systems have great importance in food and pharmaceutical industries. This review highlights the recent advances in micro and nano-encapsulation of bioactive compounds. We comprehensively discussed the importance of encapsulation, the application of biopolymer-based carrier agents and lipid-based transporters with their functionalities, suitability of encapsulation techniques in micro and nano-encapsulation, as well as different forms of improved and novel micro and nano-encapsulate systems.Key findings and conclusionsBoth micro and nano-encapsulation have an extensive application, but nano-encapsulation can be a promising approach for encapsulation purposes. Maltodextrin in combination with gums or other polysaccharides or proteins can offer an advantageous formulation for the encapsulation of bioactive compounds by using encapsulation techniques. Electro-spinning and electro-spraying are promising technologies in micro and nano-encapsulation, while solid lipid nanoparticles and nanostructure lipid carriers are exposing themselves as the promising and new generation of lipid nano-carriers for bioactive compounds. Moreover, phytosome, nano-hydrogel, and nano-fiber are also efficient and novel nano-vehicles for bioactive compounds. Further studies are required for the improvement of existing encapsulate systems and exploring their application in food and gastrointestinal systems for industrial application.     

Occurrence,types, properties and interactions of phenolic compounds with other food constituents in oil-bearing plants

ABSTRACT

Phenolic phytochemicals have become of interest due to their therapeutic potential, particularly with regards to their anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, hypolipidemic, and hypoglycemic properties. An evolving area of research involving phenolics in foods and their products pertains to the functional, biological, and nutritional consequences resulting from the binding between certain phenolic compounds and the macronutrient and micronutrient constituents of foods. The goal of this review is to provide a summary of studies investigating endogenous phenolic interactions with major components in food systems, including carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, minerals and vitamins, with a focus on the phenolic compounds and nutrients in oil-bearing plants. Another major objective is to provide a comprehensive overview of the chemical nature of phenolic interactions with food constituents that could affect the quality, nutritional and functional properties of foods. Such information can assist in the discovery and optimization of specific phenolic complexes in plant-based foods that could be utilized towards various applications in the food, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries.     

A systematic review on nanoencapsulation of food bioactive ingredients and nutraceuticals by various nanocarriers

Abstract

Today, there is an ever-growing interest on natural food ingredients both by consumers and producers in the food industry. In fact, people are looking for those products in the market which are free from artificial and synthetic additives and can promote their health. These food bioactive ingredients should be formulated in such a way that protects them against harsh process and environmental conditions and safely could be delivered to the target organs and cells. Nanoencapsulation is a perfect strategy for this situation and there have been many studies in recent years for nanoencapsulation of food components and nutraceuticals by different technologies. In this review paper, our main goal is firstly to have an overview of nanoencapsulation techniques applicable to food ingredients in a systematic classification, i.e., lipid-based nanocarriers, nature-inspired nanocarriers, special-equipment-based nanocarriers, biopolymer nanocarriers, and other miscellaneous nanocarriers. Then, application of these cutting-edge nanocarriers for different nutraceuticals including phenolic compounds and antioxidants, natural food colorants, antimicrobial agents and essential oils, vitamins, minerals, flavors, fish oils and essential fatty acids will be discussed along with presenting some examples in each field.     

Antioxidant phenolics and their microbial production by submerged and solid state fermentation process: A review

BackgroundBioactive phenolic compounds have recently received great attention in the food and clinical sectors due to their antioxidant potential. Extensive studies have been carried out to explore antioxidant potential of different phenolics from various natural sources in order to replace the use of health hazard synthetic antioxidants in food products.Scope and approachThe present review aims to provide an update of existing state-of-art and future prospect of both submerged fermentation (SmF) and solid-state fermentation (SSF) processes for the production/extraction of bioactive phenolics utilizing various substrates and microorganisms. Studies on enhancement of antioxidant potentials by increasing phenolics content of food materials including cereals and legumes by mainly SSF are reviewed and discussed thoroughly.Key findings and conclusionsMicrobial fermentation processes have been established as a potent tool for the production of antioxidant phenolic compounds due to their cost-effectiveness and environmental advantages. Extraction of phenolics through fermentation process is by far a more efficient process considering that conventional extraction methods using organic solvents do not allow complete release of bound phenolics from plant materials. During fermentation process, antioxidant phenolics are either produced by microorganisms through secondary metabolic pathway or released from the matrix of the substrate by extracellular enzymatic action. Fermentation technology is no doubt proving to be a boon for the food industry; however, extensive in vivo and toxicological researches are essential before the application of antioxidant-rich fermented foods for human health benefits.     

The biological activities,chemical stability,metabolism and delivery systems of quercetin: A review

BackgroundQuercetin, one of the most well-known flavonoids, has been included in human diet for a long history. The use of quercetin has been widely associated with a great number of health benefits, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral and anticancer as well as the function to ease some cardiovascular diseases (i.e., heart disease, hypertension, and high blood cholesterol). However, poor water solubility, chemical instability and low bioavailability of quercetin greatly limit its applications. Utilization of delivery systems can improve its stability, efficacy and bioavailability.Scope and approachIn this review, biological activities, chemical stability, metabolism and toxicity of quercetin and different delivery systems for quercetin were discussed.Key findings and conclusionsQuercetin digested in human body (e.g., mouth, small intestine, liver, kidneys) undergoes glucuronidation, sulfation or methylation. During the food processing and storage, many factors such as heat, pH, metal ions, could affect the chemical stability (including oxidation and degradation) of quercetin. Utilization of delivery systems including lipid-based carriers, nanoparticles, inclusion complexes, micelles and conjugates-based encapsulation has the potential to improve both the stability and bioavailability and thus health benefits of quercetin. Each delivery system has its unique advantages and shortcomings, and the specific selection should be based on the application domains. Moreover, the exploration of natural food-grade ingredients as main compositions of delivery systems for quercetin might be required in the future.     

功能性脂质纳米分散体研究进展

功能性脂质(类胡萝卜素、植物甾醇、脂溶性维生素、n-3多不饱和脂肪酸等)具有丰富营养价值和多种生理功能,但其自身存在水溶性差,食品基质中功能性脂质在消化系统中溶解度低、肠胃吸收率低和生物利用度低等缺点,限制了其在食品和医药领域的广泛应用。改善功能性脂质的水溶性、贮存稳定性及提高其生物利用度,已成为普遍关注和急需要解决的问题。利用纳米技术制备功能性脂质纳米分散体有望能增加功能性脂质的溶解度和生物利用度,从而扩大功能性脂质在食品等行业的应用范围。本文在国内外文献分析的基础上,综述了功能性脂质纳米分散体制备所需材料和制备方法,并分析了纳米分散体系中功能性脂质理化稳定性的影响因素和初步阐述了功能性脂质纳米分散体的生物利用度和安全性。最后,对目前功能性脂质纳米分散体研究中的科学问题和重点进行了总结和展望。     

Recent trends in the lipid‐based nanoencapsulation of antioxidants and their role in foods

Antioxidants may be utilised for two main purposes, to protect the sensory and nutritive quality of the food and/or to protect the body against chronic and age‐related diseases. Generally, antioxidants are subject to process degradation and, when given to the body in their free form, cannot pass cell membranes and are rapidly cleared from the general circulation. Because of their unique properties, lipid‐based nanoencapsulation systems enhance the performance of antioxidants by improving their solubility and bioavailability, in vitro and in vivo stability, and preventing their unwanted interactions with other food components. This paper reviews nanoliposomes, archaeosomes and nanocochleates with respect to their potential applications as antioxidant carriers in foods. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry     

The intelligent delivery systems for bioactive compounds in foods: Physicochemical and physiological conditions,absorption mechanisms,obstacles and responsive strategies

BackgroundBioactive natural compounds have received considerable attention due to their health benefits, including anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, anti-diabetes and cardiovascular disease-preventing functions. However, the stability of these sensitive compounds can be influenced by unfavourable environmental conditions during processing and storage. In addition, delivery of bioactive compounds via the oral route is restricted by various physiological barriers, including a harsh pH, gastrointestinal enzymes, the mucus layer, and the epithelium. Intelligent delivery systems are a promising method to protect bioactive molecules from degradation and improve their bioavailability.Scope and approachWe have demonstrated the physicochemical and physiological GI conditions. The structural composition of the epithelium and transport mechanisms of bioactives and nanoparticles across the intestinal epithelium were discussed. The effects of enhanced aqueous solubility, stability, bioaccessibility and bioavailability after encapsulation were illustrated. Furthermore, novel intelligent carriers that are responsive to the oral route, pH, enzymes and cell receptors were also discussed.Key findings and conclusionsThis comprehensive multidisciplinary review provides useful guidelines for the application of bioactive compounds in the food industry. Intelligent carrier systems are designed to improve the low solubility, poor stability and low permeability of the gastrointestinal tract, and they have the potential to improve oral bioavailability.     

A process for turning pomegranate peels into a valuable food ingredient using ultrasound-assisted extraction and encapsulation

A new method for pomegranate peel application in food industries was developed based on the ultrasound-assisted extraction of phenolic compounds and their subsequent encapsulation by spray drying. The effects of various parameters on extraction yield, on encapsulation efficiency/yield, and on the main physical properties of the microcapsules (moisture content, bulk density, rehydration ability) were studied. Ultrasound was found to increase extraction yield, but mainly to shorten the treatment time by over 20 times. The maximum encapsulation efficiency was 99.80% and the optimum operating conditions were found to be: wall material, maltodextrin/whey protein isolate (50:50); inlet air temperature, 150 °C; drying air flow rate, 17.5 m³/h; ratio of wall to core material, 9/1; feed solid concentration, 30% (w/w). The encapsulated phenolic extract was found efficient in improving the shelf life of hazelnut paste, in spite of the limited solubility of the crude extract in such a high lipid content matrix.Industrial relevancePomegranate peels, a by-product of pomegranate juice and concentrate industries, present a wide range of pharmaceutical and nutraceutical properties. Therefore, the peels could have more beneficial applications in food industries instead of being used as animal feed or in commercial cosmetic products. In this work, a new method for pomegranate peel application was developed based on the ultrasound-assisted extraction of phenolics and their subsequent encapsulation by spray drying.     

Hesperetin-Loaded Solid Lipid Nanoparticles and Nanostructure Lipid Carriers for Food Fortification: Preparation, Characterization, and Modeling

Solid lipid nanoparticles and nanostructure lipid carriers were used to entrap hesperetin and broaden confined knowledge of application of nanocarriers as the functional ingredients in food sectors. The produced nanocarriers using a high mechanical shear method were subjected to size and zeta potential analysis. The developed nanosize carriers had the encapsulation efficiency ranging from 39.90 to 63.08 %. Differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were also employed to study thermal behavior, crystalline state, and chemical structure. The release behavior of hesperetin in simulated gastrointestinal conditions was investigated and kinetically modeled. The modeling results indicated that the release phenomenon is mostly governed by combination of Fickian and dissolution mechanisms. Stability of the nanocarriers, as analyzed for up to 30 days, at 6 and 25 °C in aqueous suspension, showed no detectable hesperetin leakage. Cryoprotectant effect of different compounds (i.e., glucose, sorbitol, glycerin, lactose, and sucrose) was also examined. Finally, the potential capability of nanocarriers for food fortification was studied using milk as a model food. The fortified milk samples were subjected to sensory analysis and results betokened that the developed nanocarriers did not show any significant difference with blank milk sample and could well mask the bitter taste, after taste, and obviate poor solubility of hesperetin.     

Use of phenolic compounds from olive mill wastewater as valuable ingredients for functional foods

ABSTRACT

Olive mill wastewater (OMW) is a pollutant by-product from the virgin olive oil production. Its high content in phenolic compounds makes them play an important role for their use in foods, for their high antioxidant significance. The present paper gives an overview on the techniques for OMW valuable ingredient separation, focusing on the most effective ones for their use in food products as functional ingredients. We report on effective methods to recover OMW phenolics, and give several examples on the use these extracts in foods. When added into vegetable oils, their effect on retarding lipid oxidation improves the oxidative status of the product, whilst several challenges need to be faced. OMW phenolic extracts were also used in food emulsions, milk products or other model systems, showing promising results and little or no negative impact on the sensory characteristics or other properties. Their possible use as antimicrobial agents is also another promising approach, as positive results were obtained when applied in meat products. Other examples of using natural phenolic extracts from other sources are suggested also for OMW extracts, to expand their use and thus to improve the nutritional and technological quality of foods.     

Novel hesperetin loaded nanocarriers for food fortification: Production and characterization

The objective of this research was to encapsulate hesperetin as a natural antioxidant in order to enhance its functionality for food fortification. Hesperetin loaded nanostructure lipid carriers (NLC) were coated with different biopolymers (chitosan, alginate, and low methoxypectin) and some features of the developed nanocarriers, including size, zeta potential, morphology, release kinetics, stability, thermal behaviour, chemical structure, and sensory properties were studied. The developed nano size carries showed high zeta potential and excellent stability against aggregation. Thermal analysis indicated that hesperetin was well incorporated into nanoparticles. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed no chemical reaction between encapsulating materials and hesperetin. Sensory analysis also showed that developed nanoparticles could be applied for milk fortification to mask bitterness, inhibit colour change and enhance its solubility.     

Biopolymer nanoparticles: a strategy to enhance stability,bioavailability, and biological effects of phenolic compounds as functional ingredients

Phenolic compounds are abundant in nature and have multiple beneficial effects on human health due to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic, antiallergenic, anticancer, and antiatherosclerotic properties. For this reason, phenolics are becoming relevant functional ingredients for several industries, mainly the food industry, derived from food consumer exigencies and regulations. However, the use of their beneficial properties still presents some limitations, such as chemical instability under environmental and processing conditions, which leads to structural changes and compromises their biological activities. They also present poor water solubility and sensitivity to pH changes, decreasing their bioavailability in the organism. The technologies for extraction and stabilization of these compounds have evolved rapidly in the development of different delivery systems to encapsulate sensitive active molecules. Biopolymeric nanoparticles are biodegradable polymer-based colloidal systems with sizes ranging from 1 to 1000 nm, and different techniques can be carried out to develop them. These systems have emerged as a green and effective alternative to improve stability, bioavailability, and biological effects of phenolic compounds. This comprehensive review aims to present an overview of recent advances in encapsulation processes of phenolic compounds within biopolymer nanoparticles as delivery systems and the impact on their physicochemical properties and biological effects after encapsulation. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.     

Application of Phenolic Extracts from Selected Plants in Fruit Juice

Plant phenolics have gained considerable interest in recent years for their potential effects against food related microorganisms. In the present study, phenolic extracts from the leaves of three plants namely Moringa oleifera, Morus indica, and Mentha spicata were prepared by a mixture of methanol/acetone/water. The UV spectra of extracts were recorded and contents of total phenolics determined. The extracts were incorporated in pineapple juice and their solubility and stability were studied. In addition, the acceptability of treated juice samples was sensory evaluated. The solubility of M. indica and M. oleifera extracts was found to be more than that of M. spicata. The two extracts were also stable in the pH environment of pineapple juice when stored at 4°C for two weeks. The pineapple juice treated with M. indica extract was more acceptable compared to that of M. oleifera, according to sensory evaluation. Therefore, the effect of addition of phenolic extract from M. indica on the shelf life of pineapple juice stored at 4°C was investigated by monitoring the changes in titrable acidity and sensory parameters for 8 weeks. Results indicated that the extracts of natural phenolic compounds can be used to improve the quality and safety of foods.     

Nanoliposomes,from food industry to nutraceuticals: Interests and uses

Nanoliposomes are a form of vector used both in the pharmaceutical and food industries. In food industry, these lipid nanostructures are incorporated during the manufacturing process of food products, primarily to improve texture, flavors and for food preservation. Because of their natural lipid composition, and their ability to encapsulate both hydrophobic and hydrophilic compounds, nanoliposomes represent an interesting form of carrier for bioactive molecules. Encapsulation in these lipid-based vectors of molecules known for their beneficial effects on certain organs or tissues can be envisaged in nutraceutical applications to create functional foods designed for disease prevention. To achieve this objective, however, it is necessary to control certain parameters during preparation and storage of nanoliposomes to ensure optimal digestibility and bioavailability. Indeed, challenges still exist to ensure the stability of nanoliposomes during storage, as well as following ingestion. Many preparation techniques are available, but the oxidative nature of lipids and their phase transition temperature all affect the stability of nanoliposomes. These issues and the feasibility for use of nanoliposomes in industrial applications for nutraceuticals, as well as the importance of establishing product specifications and the claims for using nanoliposomes in nutraceuticals are discussed in this review. Finally, although industrial scale-up raises questions of quality control and reproducibility, investigations nevertheless suggest a promising future for the use of these lipid nanostructures in nutraceutical applications.     

Bioavailability of nutraceuticals: Role of the food matrix,processing conditions,the gastrointestinal tract,and nanodelivery systems

Nowadays, many consumers prefer foods with a high content of nutraceuticals that contribute to the prevention or healing of chronic diseases. Therefore, in recent years, more and more researchers have studied the bioefficiency, safety, and toxicity of nutraceutical‐enriched foods. The key stage of nutraceutical bioefficiency is oral bioavailability, which involves the following processes: the release of nutraceuticals from food matrices or nanocarriers in gastrointestinal fluids, the solubilization of nutraceuticals and their interaction with other components of gastrointestinal fluids, the absorption of nutraceuticals by the epithelial layer, and the chemical and biochemical transformations into epithelial cells. These processes are endogenous factors that greatly influence the bioavailability of nutraceuticals. In addition to endogenous factors, the bioavailability of nutraceuticals is also affected by exogenous factors, such as: physicochemical properties of nutraceuticals, food matrix, food processing and storage, and so forth. Both the endogenous and exogenous factors are comprehensively analyzed in this review. Thus, the physicochemical and enzymatic processes involved in food digestion are described, highlighting the role of each stage of gastrointestinal tract (mouth, stomach, and intestine) in nutraceuticals bioaccessibility. The structure and functions of the mucus and epithelial layers, the mechanisms involved in the active and passive transport of nutraceuticals through the cell membrane, and phase I and phase II metabolism reactions are also discussed. Finally, this review focuses on several types of bioactive‐loaded nanocarriers such as lipid‐based, surfactant‐based, and biopolymeric nanocarriers that improve the bioavailability of nutraceuticals.     

Biodegradable polymers as wall materials to the synthesis of bioactive compound nanocapsules

BackgroundNanoparticles have been synthetized using polymers as wall materials to protect bioactive compounds against external factors (light, heat and oxygen), increasing the stability and improving the bioavailability of nanoencapsulated compounds.Scope and approachThe encapsulation processes and type of polymers (natural or synthetic) exert a direct impact on the synthesis of bioactive compound nanocapsules, which reflect in parameters, such as size, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, aqueous solubility, aqueous stability, surface permeability, desired bioactive compounds release profile and wall resistance; and these characteristics might limit its use by food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. This review summarizes researches on nanocapsules synthesis (advantages and limitations of different techniques) and focuses on the importance of different biodegradable polymers as wall materials for obtaining stable and safe nanocapsules.Key findings and conclusionsDifferent wall materials can be used to synthesize bioactive compound nanocapsules; however, biodegradable polymeric nanocapsules have proven to be one of the most stable structures during storage and showed high efficiency to control the release of encapsulated compounds and due to these characteristics, they have been focus of various studies for future applications in health and food-related areas.     

Understanding the potential benefits of thyme and its derived products for food industry and consumer health: From extraction of value-added compounds to the evaluation of bioaccessibility,bioavailability, anti-inflammatory,and antimicrobial activities

ABSTRACT

Natural bioactive compounds isolated from several aromatic plants have been studied for centuries due to their unique characteristics that carry great importance in food, and pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. For instance, several beneficial activities have been attributed to some specific compounds found in Thymus such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antiseptic properties. Moreover, these compounds are classified as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) which means they can be used as an ingrident of may food producs. Conventional extraction processes of these compounds and their derived forms from thyme leaves are well established. Hoewever, they present some important drawbacks such as long extraction time, low yield, high solvent consumption and degradation thermolabile compounds. Therefore, innovative extraction techniques such as ultrasound, microwave, enzyme, ohmic and heat-assisted methods can be useful strategies to enhance the exytraction yield and to reduce processing temperature, extraction time, and energy and solvent consumption. Furthermore, bioaccessibility and bioavailability aspects of these bioactive compounds as well as their metabolic fates are crucial for developing novel functional foods. Additionally, immobilization methods to improve stability, solubility, and the overall bioavailability of these valuable compounds are necessary for their commercial applications. This review aims to give an overall perspective of innovative extraction techniques to extract the targeted compounds with anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities. Moreover, the bioaccessi-bility and bioavailability of these compounds before and after processing discussed. In addition, some of the most important characteristics of thyme and their derived products discussed in this paper.     

Application of different nanocarriers for encapsulation of curcumin

Abstract

Curcumin is the main polyphenol of the curcuminoid class of turmeric, a well-known spice belonging to the ginger family. In addition to its common applications like coloring and antioxidant agent as food additives, it has a broad range of favorable biological functions, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-diabetic activities, and anti-cancer potentials against various cancers. However, curcumin suffers from some limitations including short shelf life due to its poor chemical stability, low bioavailability due to its poor absorption, low water solubility, rapid metabolism and rapid systemic elimination. Nanoencapsulaion has been addressed as an innovative and emerging technology for resolving these shortcomings. In this review, the different delivery systems used for loading of curcumin have been considered and explained including lipid-based, chemical polymer and biopolymer-based, nature-inspired, special equipment-based and surfactant-based techniques. Also, implications of nanoencapsulated curcumin in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic uses are discussed. In this sense, the relevant recent studies in the past few years along with upcoming challenges have been covered. Although incorporation of curcumin into nanocarriers can be a possible solution to overcome its inherent constraints, there are some rational concerns about their toxicological safety once they enter into the biological paths. Therefore, future investigations could focus on assessment of their biological fate during digestion and absorption within human body.     

Emulsion electrospinning: Fundamentals,food applications and prospects

BackgroundIn the past decades, many natural bioactive compounds with antioxidant, immunoregulatory, antimicrobial, and anticancer activities have been successfully identified in plant and animal materials. However, due to their poor solubility, unfavorable flavor, low bioavailability and instability during food processing and storage, the development of bioactive compounds used in the food industry presents many technological challenges.Scope and approachEmulsion electrospinning is a novel and simple technique to fabricate core-shell nanofibers, and either water-in-oil (W/O) or oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions can be electrospun to directly encapsulate hydrophilic or hydrophobic compounds into core-shell fibers, respectively. This review introduces fundamentals and advantages of emulsion electrospinning as well as its food applications. The effects of different types of emulsifiers on the formation of emulsion systems and emulsion-based electrospun fibers are highlighted. Further, the existing limitations and scope for future research are discussed.Key findings and conclusionsRecent studies have found that the emulsion-based electrospun nanofibers can enhance the encapsulation efficiency, stability, and bioavailability of bioactive compounds, as well as achieve targeted delivery and controlled release, thus providing new strategies to improve their barrier performance compared to conventional electrospinning and therefore facilitating the development of emulsion-based electrospun mats in the food industry.