Current overview, challenges, and future prospects in the encapsulation of bioactive compounds of plant origin

The encapsulation of bioactive compounds has been widely used as a strategy to protect substances such as carotenoids and phenolic compounds. This technique has been gaining ground in industrial sectors, especially in the food and pharmaceutical industries. This review article provides an updated overview of the prospects for wall materials used in micro- and nanoencapsulation, discussing the main selection criteria and the various types of materials used. In addition, materials commonly used in various industrial sectors, such as chitosan, maltodextrin, and alginate, as well as plant- and microbe-derived options, is discussed. In this context, this review emphasizes the importance of carefully choosing the method and wall material based on the bioactive compound to be encapsulated, to ensure the effectiveness of the process and the industrial viability of the encapsulation systems.