Recent Trends in the Nanoencapsulation Processes for Food and Nutraceutical Applications

Current Applications of Bionanocomposites in Food Processing and Packaging

“…It can be challenging to accurately summarize this information in one manuscript. Therefore, this review aims to simplify the information by focusing on some established biopolymer-based nanoencapsulation methods, such as emulsification, extrusion, and drying techniques, electrohydrodynamic processes, cryogelation, and complex coacervation, which can be used to create different nanostructures for hydrophobic food bioactive compounds, including nanoemulsions, nano hydrogels, nanofibers, nanospheres, nanoliposomes, and nanosponges [ 27 , 28 , 29 ]. Table 1 has been provided to help organize this information.…”

“…These can be implemented as the last step of the nanoencapsulation process. Spray-drying is an economical and prompt method whereby an aqueous solution or emulsion is atomized against a hot chamber, forming spherical particles of exact microscopic size containing the intended biomolecules, which are later recovered with the help of a cyclone [ 29 , 56 ]. This method is already conventionally implemented in the elaboration of dried food, food additives, and flavor.…”

“…Extrusion techniques represent another attractive strategy, whereby the active substance is embedded into the biopolymer nanocarrier solution, usually polysaccharides, enabling an effective encapsulation of an ample range of hydrophilic or hydrophobic active compounds. In this laboratory-scale practice, the solution is loaded inside a syringe and posteriorly forced to pass through a nano-scale needle into a gelling medium [ 29 , 62 ]. These techniques are considered advantageous on account of operative mild conditions in terms of temperature or solvents.…”

“…Complex coacervation is a simple and one of the most relevant nanoencapsulation methodologies, is based on the electrostatic interaction between two hydrophobic colloids with reverse charges, and is capable of formulating water- and heat-resistant nanomembranes [ 17 , 19 ]. The complex coacervates droplet shell originates after the application of heating, desolvation, or crosslinking techniques to the newly emulsified layer that covers the nucleus component developed during the mixing of three immiscible phases: bioactive core substance, biopolymer matrix, and continuous liquid phases [ 29 , 63 ]. This technique holds driver advantages, such as high loading and encapsulation efficiency, the use of mild condition and non-toxic solvents, and the possibility of forming a large number of complexation bonds, displaying why it is one most suitable methods for bioactive compounds [ 19 , 50 ].…”

“…It is also feasible to achieve nanocapsules with contrasting attributes and sizes by manipulating the temperature, type of biopolymer, ion concentration, and bioactive ingredient proportion [ 63 ]. Nonetheless, the particle dispersion typically requires a secondary post-treatment, for instance, spray-drying or freeze-drying, to acquire a more optimized nanomaterial [ 29 ].…”