Background Bioactive 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 approach Micro 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 conclusions Both 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.

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

The natural color of foods is due primarily to carotenoids, anthocyanins, betanin and chlorophylls, either as inherent food constituents or as food or feed additives. These compounds have drawn considerable attention in recent years, not because of their coloring properties, but due to their potential health-promoting effects. Their occurrence and levels in foods, along with the factors that influence the composition, have been widely investigated. Processing effects have been actively studied. In spite of the intense search for plant and microbial sources and efforts to increase yield, few natural food color additives have reached the market. Lack of stability is a major deterrent; microencapsulation and nanoencapsulation are being advocated to minimize this problem.

Natural food pigments and colorants

Background Spray drying is extensively used to preserve fruit and vegetable juices in powder form The major concern is to obtain high quality fruit and vegetable powders, which requires optimization of spray drying conditions High drying temperature damages sensitive bioactive compounds, carrier agent protects such compounds and other factors involved in spray drying affect physicochemical and microstructural attributes of the product Scope and approach This review summarizes current trends of spray drying of fruit and vegetable juices, covering principles of spray drying, physicochemical and microstructural effects of spray drying conditions, optimization of spray drying conditions and new developments in spray drying Several new techniques have been introduced into spray drying, helping to overcome its limitations These techniques are posted to set new standards for the production of high quality fruit and vegetable powders in industrial application Key findings and conclusions The most significant factors in spray drying are inlet temperature and carrier agent Successful spray drying enhances physical properties of powdered products, while preserving bioactive compounds with the help of carrier agents or their combinations Response surface methodology is the most suitable tool for optimization of spray drying conditions The application of ultrasound technique during atomization, vacuum drying chamber with controlled atmosphere, and supply of dehumidified air to drying chamber of basic spray dryer have distinctly improved the potential of the technology over conventional spray drying These advances will contribute to further research improvement of drying of fruit and vegetable juices by conventional approaches as well as modified spray drying techniques

Trends of spray drying: A critical review on drying of fruit and vegetable juices

Effect of lactobacillus strains on phenolic profile, color attributes and antioxidant activities of lactic-acid-fermented mulberry juice

Polyphenols and their applications: An approach in food chemistry and innovation potential.

Background Diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by presence of chronic hyperglycaemia. Thus, strategies to maintain blood glucose levels are critical for the treatment of this devastating disease. Anthocyanins are naturally occurring compounds widely available in berries, and increasing evidence demonstrates a positive relationship between consumption of anthocyanins rich foods and lowers diabetes complications. Scope and approach This review highlights recent findings on the anti-diabetic effects of anthocyanins in various organs and particularly emphasizes on the studies that investigated the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the beneficial effects of this bioactive molecules. Key findings and conclusions Over the past two decades, numerous studies have demonstrated that anthocyanins can exert the beneficial effects in diabetes by acting on various molecular targets and regulate different signalling pathways in multiple organs and tissues such as liver, pancreas, kidney, adipose, skeletal muscle and brain. Anthocyanins can lower blood glucose levels by protecting β-cells, improving insulin resistance, increasing insulin secretion, improving liver function, and inhibiting carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes. The antidiabetic properties of anthocyanins may also attribute to their antioxidant capacity. Taken together, anthocyanins may be a novel small molecule for the prevention and treatment of diabetes.

Anthocyanins as promising molecules and dietary bioactive components against diabetes – A review of recent advances

Background Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is defined as the cluster of metabolic disorders that consist of insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, central adiposity, and hypertension, which is associated with metabolic diseases (MD). Gut microbiota (GM) has a profound effect on human metabolism. The composition and function of GM play a critical role in MD, but the mechanisms have not been fully understood yet. Microorganisms that colonize the human gut play a pivotal role in the digestion and absorption of dietary polyphenols (PPs). GM is capable of metabolizing high-molecular-weight PPs into more biologically active metabolites. As a result, phenolic metabolites can modulate the growth of GM. PPs are naturally occurring compounds that are available in food, such as fruits and vegetables. PPs intake is inversely associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS) via modulating GM. Scope and approach In this review, we present an overview of the evidence supporting the GM dysbiosis during MD. In addition, health-beneficial effect of PPs against MD via modulating the GM is discussed. Key findings and conclusions Literature evidence supports PPs as novel and strategic molecules in the prevention and treatment of MD. This is explained not only by their anti-obesity, anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetes, and anti-hypercholesterolemic effects but also by their ability to improve and inhibit the growth of beneficial and pathogenic bacteria. Although, there are numerous studies defines the effective role of PPs against MD via altering the GM, a significant research effort on GM is still needed to consider PPs as promising nutraceuticals against MD.

Dietary polyphenols to combat the metabolic diseases via altering gut microbiota

Systematic study on phytochemicals and antioxidant activity of some new and common mulberry cultivars in China

Background Natural products can exert promising nutritional and medicinal value, and traditionally used in pursuit of health and well-being. Despite having a potential therapeutic effect, natural compounds tend to show limited biological activity due to their environmental-instability, poor solubility, gastric-degradation, uncontrolled-release, poor bioavailability, and unspecific delivery. Therefore, liposomal delivery of natural compounds has been considered as a potential tool to overcome the limitations associated with delivery in in vivo. Scope and approach Liposomes are attractive and effective nano-carriers for the delivery of natural compounds and pharmaceuticals, which can enhance their bioavailability and therapeutic effect. In this review, we critically discussed the fundamentals and generation-wise chronological liposomal improvements, affecting factors associated with the formation of liposome, and mechanism of cellular internalization. Besides, we discussed the efficiency of liposomal systems for the encapsulation and successful delivery of natural products in treating human diseases and the challenges associated with the liposomal delivery of natural products. Key findings and conclusions Formulation parameters, i.e. phospholipid type, phospholipid-to-cholesterol ratio, and encapsulated compounds could play a significant role in the liposomal preparation. Studies have shown that liposomal delivery of natural products could significantly increase the protective effect of natural product against cancer, hepato-/neuro-toxicity, inflammation, oxidative stress, hyperlipidemia, and microbial disease. Further studies concerning the improved liposomal systems and more in vivo studies could shed a light to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of natural compounds by understanding the physicochemical stability, target mechanisms, cellular internalization and release kinetics.

Vemana Gowd

Papers

Anthocyanins as promising molecules and dietary bioactive components against diabetes – A review of recent advances

Dietary polyphenols to combat the metabolic diseases via altering gut microbiota

Systematic study on phytochemicals and antioxidant activity of some new and common mulberry cultivars in China

Liposomal delivery of natural product: A promising approach in health research

Antioxidant and antidiabetic activity of blackberry after gastrointestinal digestion and human gut microbiota fermentation