Microencapsulation Method Research Articles

Microencapsulation techniques for developing cannabidiol formulations: a review.

Cannabidiol (CBD), extracted from Cannabis sativa L., holds therapeutic promise without inducing psychoactive effects seen with Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol. Its interaction with the endocannabinoid system plays a pivotal role in regulating mood, pain perception and immune function. Nevertheless, CBD encounters hurdles in clinical application due to its poor bioavailability and water solubility. To overcome these limitations, researchers are exploring microencapsulation techniques, which involve encapsulating CBD within protective matrices. This comprehensive review offers insights into various microencapsulation methods for CBD, scrutinizing their advantages, limitations and implications for formulation optimization. By elucidating the potential of microencapsulation, this review underscores its promise in refining CBD therapy and addressing challenges associated with administration.

Chitin nanocrystal Pickering emulsions for sustainable release pesticide microencapsulation with superior leaf adhesion and enhanced safety

Traditional pesticides often exhibit high non-target toxicity, poor stability, short persistence, and susceptibility to wash-off by rain. Pesticide microencapsulation represents a significant advancement in formulation strategies, addressing safety and sustainability concerns associated with conventional pesticides. This study explores the utilization of biodegradable chitin nanocrystals (ChNCs), prepared via acid hydrolysis, for the development of pesticide microcapsules. Specifically, ChNCs were employed to emulsify molten pesticides, followed by interfacial polymerization to fabricate pesticide-loaded microcapsules. Using molten emulsification and Pickering emulsion templates offer a simple and solvent-free approach for microcapsule preparation, eliminating the need for conventional surfactants. The microcapsules displayed a size distribution ranging from hundreds of nanometers to several micrometers, which could be tuned by adjusting the ChNCs content. These microcapsules demonstrated remarkable properties, including a high pesticide loading capacity (reaching 78.7% for lambda-cyhalothrin), excellent storage stability, and enzyme-responsive release behavior. Furthermore, the abundant positive charges enhanced the interaction between the microcapsules and leaf surfaces, leading to improved pesticide retention. Microencapsulation reduces acute insecticidal activity of pesticides due to the slow-release effect; however, field experiments provide compelling evidence that microcapsule formulations significantly prolong pesticide efficacy compared to conventional formulations. Additionally, microencapsulation significantly improved the safety of pesticides, with the LC50 increasing from 0.0116 mg/L to 3.75 mg/L. Overall, this study introduces a promising method for pesticide microencapsulation using ChNCs Pickering emulsion, highlighting its potential advantages and providing valuable insights for the development of environmentally friendly and novel pesticide formulations.

The development of microencapsulated lactic acid bacteria and its application on yoghurt powder products

The probiotics were susceptible to damage in commercial starters due to improper environmental conditions. In this study, the encapsulation technique was applied to improve probiotics survival using alginate, inulin (commercial and beneng taro-source), skim milk and their combination; which is prepared by the extrusion method. The survival of encapsulated probiotics in adverse environmental conditions was investigated by exposing them to low pH and heat stress. The encapsulation yield and diameter of the encapsulated probiotics were also measured before their application to yoghurt powder. Both heat stress and pH 2 resulted in the decrease of the number of viable free cells and viable encapsulated cells by about 5 log cycles and 3 log cycles, respectively. The encapsulation yield was >98% in all treatments and the diameter of probiotics was increased significantly around >2.5 mm by the encapsulation method. The viability of the encapsulated probiotic cell was decreased 1 log cycle after applying in powdered yoghurt while without encapsulation the cell count was much lower. Thus, the microencapsulation method has proven as an effective protection technique against adverse environments, especially if applied as a powder product.

Effect of alginate concentration on the physicochemical characteristics and entrapment efficiency of bioactive compounds in microencapsulated bekasam extract

Bekasam extract functions as an effective agent for reducing cholesterol and hypertension levels. One of the practical methods to utilize this extract is through microencapsulation. During the manufacturing of consumables, microcapsules can be incorporated into foods and beverages as functional additives. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate microencapsulation methods of bekasam extract, specifically by using ionic gelation with sodium alginate as a coating at varying concentrations of 0.50%, 0.75%, 1.00%, and 1.25%. The results showed that the diameter of the microcapsules produced ranged from 3.71-3.92 mm, and the yield was 21.83-40.47%. The microcapsules contained 6.3-10.08% peptides and 37.89-46.39 ppm of Lovastatin with an entrapment efficiency of 17.31- 27.69% and 59.08-72.76%, respectively. The microcapsules made with alginate (1.25%) had higher levels of Lovastatin and peptides.

Current State of Scientific Knowledge on Curcumin Encapsulation and Applications.

The yellow pigment curcumin has long been used in traditional medicine for its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antioxidant activities. Over the past half-century, scien-tific investigations have shown that curcumin is endowed with additional health benefits be-cause it can modify key molecular targets associated with a number of pathologies, such as diabetes, cancer, and arthritis, in addition to cardiovascular, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's, and Crohn's diseases. However, this molecule has several disadvantages, such as low bioavail-ability and solubility, severe oxidative destruction, light sensitivity, fast systemic clearance and breakdown at alkaline pH levels. To address these drawbacks, several methods of micro-encapsulation employing a variety of shell materials have been investigated. These techniques contributed toward the increase of curcumin's solubility and stability against heat, light, oxy-gen, and an alkaline pH. The various shell materials and methods used to microencapsulate this chemical are the main topics of this review. The use of microencapsulated curcumin in food, medicine, and cosmetics is also discussed in more detail. Recent relevant research from the last few years has been given in this area, along with future difficulties.

Innovative Microencapsulation of Polymyxin B for Enhanced Antimicrobial Efficacy via Coated Spray Drying.

This study aims to develop an innovative microencapsulation method for coated Polymyxin B, utilizing various polysaccharides such as hydroxypropyl β-cyclodextrin, alginate, and chitosan, implemented through a three-fluid nozzle (3FN) spray drying process. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis revealed that formulations with a high ratio of sugar cage, hydroxypropyl β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD), and sodium alginate (coded as ALGHCDHPLPM) resulted in a notable 16-fold increase in Polymyxin B recovery compared to chitosan microparticles. Morphological assessments using fluorescence labeling confirmed successful microparticle formation with core/shell structures. Alginate-based formulations exhibited distinct layers, while chitosan formulations showed uniform fluorescence throughout the microparticles. Focused beam reflectance and histograms from fluorescence microscopic measurements provided insights into physical size analysis, indicating consistent sizes of 6.8 ± 1.2 μm. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectra unveiled hydrogen bonding between Polymyxin B and other components within the microparticle structures. The drug release study showed sodium alginate's sustained release capability, reaching 26 ± 3% compared to 94 ± 3% from the free solution at the 24 h time point. Furthermore, the antimicrobial properties of the prepared microparticles against two Gram-negative bacteria, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, were investigated. The influence of various key excipients on the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values was evaluated. Results demonstrated effective bactericidal effects of ALGHCDHPLPM against both E. coli and P. aeruginosa. Additionally, the antibiofilm assay highlighted the potential efficacy of ALGHCDHPLPM against the biofilm viability of E. coli and P. aeruginosa, with concentrations ranging from 3.9 to 500 μg/m. This signifies a significant advancement in antimicrobial drug delivery systems, promising improved precision and efficacy in combating bacterial infections.

The application of the coacervation technique for microencapsulation bioactive ingredients: A critical review

IntroductionMicrocapsules obtained from microencapsulation technology consist of an active inward kernel substance and an external layer or crust that protects and covers the kernel substance. Microencapsulation is applied in different disciplines, such as food and pharmaceutical. Coacervation, as a separator of colloidal composition into two liquid phases, is the second common method of capsulation in food industries. It provides high encapsulation efficiency and bioactive compounds-controlled liberation, may be influenced by temperature and physical and biological mechanisms, and offers desirable flexibility that patronages the development of extensive food. Reason for writingBioactive ingredients include antioxidants, vitamins, peptides, multiple unsaturated fatty acids, phytosterols, lutein, lycopene, and probiotics. Their sensitivity usually restricts the application of bioactive components. Coacervation can create a protective obstacle and optimal diffusion and compatibility characteristics in different environments. MethodologyIn this review article, the research results in the range of 2015–2024 and the useful content of related articles related to the subject were collected from various databases such as ScienceDirect and google scholar. In general, the bioactive compounds encapsulated by the microencapsulation method, especially the complex coacervation method and their advantages, the wall and core materials used, microencapsulation conditions, and finally, the results of the research are collected attractively and comprehensively. ResultsComplex coacervation could be a promising, interesting, and useful method to protect and deliver substances, such as polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, antioxidants, peptides, phytosterols, lutein, lycopene, pigments and phenolic acids, enzymes, essential oils, and probiotics, for controlled release applications during storage and delivery in the gastrointestinal tract. ConclusionConsidering the advantages of bioactive components, it seems necessary to pay attention to microencapsulation methods, especially occlusion, to solve limitations in this field and to optimize the conditions and parameters of the coacervation, especially the complex coacervation.

Hurdle technology using enzymes and essential oil to remove biofilm and increase the effectiveness of this process with the microencapsulation method.

The formation of biofilm in different places and the failure to effectively remove it by the usual disinfection methods is due to its structure and the rich genetic resource available in it to deal with disinfectants. These impenetrable structures and diverse microbial genetics have caused biofilm pollution in different industries like the food industry, the medicine industry, the hospitals and the water distribution system, resulting in pathogenicity and reduction of industrial quality. An efficient way to deal with the resistant population of biofilm-forming microbes is the use of hurdle technology including enzymes and essential oils. Enzymes reduce the resistance of the biofilm structure due to degradation of its extracellular polymer matrix (EPS) by their abilities to break down the organic molecules, and then the essential oils weaken the cells by penetrating the lipid membrane of the cell and destroying its integrity; as a result, the biofilm will be destroyed. The advantage of this hurdle technology is the environmental friendly of both methods, which reduces concerns about the use of chemical disinfection methods, but on the other hand, due to the sensitivity of enzymes as biological agents also the expensiveness of this technique and the considerations of working with essential oils as volatile and unstable liquids should abandon the routine methods of applying this disinfectant to biofilm and go for the microencapsulation method, which as a protective system increases the effectiveness of enzymes and essential oils as antibiofilm agents.

Probiotics encapsulated by calcium pectin/chitosan-calcium pectin/sodium alginate-pectin-whey through biofilm-based microencapsulation strategy and their preventive effects on ulcerative colitis

Biofilm-based probiotics have emerged as a compelling approach for administering probiotics. Selecting appropriate wall materials for enclosing probiotics in biofilm structure is viewed as an advanced method of microencapsulation. In this study, Lactiplantibacillus paraplanturm LR-1 was enclosed in three different types of wall materials to create calcium pectin beads (CPB), chitosan-calcium pectin beads (C-CPB), and sodium alginate-pectin-whey beads (SPW). The biofilm cells of LR-1 were cultured externally and then encapsulated to create CPB-ex-LR-1, C-CPB-ex-LR-1 and SPW-ex-LR-1. In contrast, LR-1 was cultured within the microcapsules to form biofilms in situ, resulting in CPB-situ-LR-1, C-CPB-situ-LR-1 and SPW-situ-LR-1. The microcapsules displayed a relatively uniform morphology with the water contents below 10%. Nevertheless, there were noticeable edge effects in the distribution of strains within the in situ-type microcapsules. The detection of distinctive peaks unique to Lactiplantibacillus within the microcapsules confirmed the successful encapsulation. Additionally, a decrease in the intensity of the peaks linked to the wall materials indicated the formation of an amorphous structure within the microcapsules. The bacterial concentrations of situ-type microcapsules were found to surpass 10 lg CFU/g. The SPW-situ-LR-1 demonstrated superior tolerance performance, optimal release properties in simulated gastrointestinal fluids, and exceptional stability during the storage period. Additionally, SPW-situ-LR-1 showed similar effectiveness in alleviating colitis compared to fresh Biofilm-LR-1. Both Biofilm-LR-1 and SPW-situ-LR-1 pre-treatments exhibited positive effects on regulation, with SPW-situ-LR-1 administration significantly increasing the presence of Lactobacillus. This study provides valuable insights into the development of the next-generation probiotics.

Synthesis of Carboxymethyl Cellulose from Mangrove Nipah (Nypa fruticans) as Vitamin C Coating for Drug Delivery System

Vitamin C is one of the substances needed by the human body which acts as an antioxidant that effectively overcomes the effects of free radicals that damage cells in the body, but vitamin C has properties that are easily oxidized so that innovation is needed to coat (encapsulate) vitamin C in the form of capsules as a drug delivery system. One polymer that can be used for vitamin C encapsulation is cellulose. The cellulose content can be found in the skin and nipah fruit and then synthesized into carboxymethyl cellulose as a vitamin C coating. The microencapsulation method was carried out by mixing 3 g of carrageenan-CMC mixture with variations in the ratio of 1:0; 1:0.5 and 1:1 (%b/b). The encapsulated small beads were made in 200 mL of 2M KCl-CaCl solution by extrusion technique. The microencapsulant was then drained and continued with the crosslinking stage using Glutaraldehyde (GA) 1%. In this in vitro oral simulation study, the encapsulation ratio that produced the best treatment with the highest percentage of drug solubility in the intestine was the ratio (1:0.5), followed by (1:1) and the smallest (1:0) with percentage values of 15.42; 14.06; and 1.67 percent, respectively.

Study of the Effect of Preparation and Formulation Factors on the Stability of Vitamin C Microencapsulated by Solvent-Evaporation Method

This research studied the effect of formulation and processing variables on the stability of vitamin C or Ascorbic Acid (AA) encapsulated in Eudragit RS100 microparticles prepared using a solvent evaporation technique. Microparticles ranged in size from 60 to 102 μm and encapsulation efficiencies between 25% and 44% were obtained. Microencapsulation significantly enhanced the stability of AA compared to the free AA in solution. AA shelf life was extended up to 23 days. Increasing AA concentration and using sucrose or Tween 80 in the outer phase further enhanced AA stability. The results suggest that microencapsulation method under the investigated conditions is a promising approach for protecting AA from degradation in aqueous solutions.

Physical-Entanglements-Supported Polymeric Form Stable Phase Change Materials with Ultrahigh Melting Enthalpy.

With the rapid development of new energy and the upgrading of electronic devices, structurally stable phase change materials (PCMs) have attracted widespread attentions from both academia and industries. Traditional cross-linking, composites, or microencapsulation methods for preparation of form stable PCMs usually sacrifice part of the phase change enthalpy and recyclability. Based on the basic polymer viscoelasticity and crystallization theories, here, a kind of novel recyclable polymeric PCM is developed by simple solution mixing ultrahigh molecular weight of polyethylene oxide (UHMWPEO) with its chemical identical oligomer polyethylene glycol (PEG). Rheological and leakage-proof experiments confirm that, even containing 90% of phase change fraction PEG oligomers, long-term of structure stability of PCMs can be achieved when the molecular weight of UHMWPEO is higher than 7000kg mol-1 due to their ultralong terminal relaxation time and large number of entanglements per chain. Furthermore, because of the reduced overall entanglement concentration, phase change enthalpy of PCMs can be greatly promoted, even reaching to ≈185 J g-1, which is larger than any PEG-based form stable PCMs in literatures. This work provides a new strategy and mechanism for designing physical-entanglements-supported form stable PCMs with ultrahigh phase change enthalpies.

Fabrication of diisocyanate microcapsules for self-healing anti-corrosion coatings via integrating electrospraying and interfacial polymerization

Epoxy resins serve as useful material in anti-corrosion coatings. However, the development of microcracks during the processing or service life of a coating is an inevitable occurrence that markedly degrades its performance and shortens its lifespan. The incorporation of self-healing materials can prolong the coatings' lifespan and enhance the reliability of corrosion prevention processes. In this study, a microencapsulation method via integrating electrospraying and interfacial polymerization (ES-IP) was adopted to synthesize the microcapsules containing 4,4’-bis-methylene cyclohexane diisocyanate (HMDI) successfully. The self-healing capability of these microcapsules within the anti-corrosion coating was successfully validated. The prepared HMDI microcapsules (HMDI-MCs) demonstrate excellent dispersibility, tunable characteristics, and a high core material content of 93 wt%. Self-healing anti-corrosion coatings containing HMDI-MCs were prepared and underwent accelerated corrosion testing in sodium chloride (NaCl) solution. The result showed that HMDI is capable of leaking from microcapsules and undergoing solidification, thus forming a barrier to metal steel from corrosion hazards by endowing the coatings with effective self-healing abilities. This paper expands the application of the ES-IP technique in microencapsulation and suggests that HMDI-MCs have significant potential in self-healing anti-corrosion coating.

Effect of microencapsulation on the bio-preservative and probiotic properties of Enterococcus durans F21

This study aimed to assess the probiotic potential of Enterococcus durans F21 and its microencapsulation. Two microencapsulation methods, spray-drying (SD) and freeze-drying (FD), were employed using sodium caseinate (Cas) as a cell protectant at concentrations of 0.035% and 1% and at two pHs, 3 and 7. Maltodextrins (MD) served as wall material (10%). Microcapsules were analysed for cell viability and membrane damage after drying, survival under simulated gastro-intestinal conditions, antimicrobial activity, stability during storage, and physicochemical characterization. Results showed that E. durans F21 exhibited promising probiotic properties, including moderate auto-aggregation, high co-aggregation with pathogens, moderate biofilm formation, and resistance to simulated gastrointestinal conditions. The encapsulation pH showed to be a crucial factor affecting the viability of microencapsulated cells. Microencapsulation at pH 3 adversely affected cell viability during drying. However, microencapsulation at pH 7 using Cas (at 0.035 and 1%) was found to be most effective in maintaining higher cell viability under similar conditions. No significant difference was detected between both Cas formulations, suggesting that 0.035% Cas concentration might be sufficient for the microencapsulation process at pH 7. Moreover, FD proved to be the most effective method to produce E. durans F21 microcapsules with high viability (cell viability of 93%) and stability during storage (cell viability of 99%). Conclusively, microencapsulation of E. durans F21 using Cas, at pH 7, and employing FD method could be a promising strategy for producing highly viable microcapsules containing E. durans F21 cells with high probiotic and bio-preservative potentials in foods.

Materials and methods for the microencapsulation of substances of food and agricultural interest

Microencapsulation involves trapping solid, liquid, or gas particles within an inert cover to protect them from the environment. This technique has numerous biotechnological applications in the food, agricultural, pharmaceutical, and other industries. Microcapsules are relevant for obtaining viable products and optimizing their efficacy, stability, safety, and ease of application. There is a wide range of coating materials and techniques used to microencapsulate various substances of interest. This article presents a review of encapsulating materials and microencapsulation methods used in the food and agricultural industries.

Water-soluble microencapsulation using gum Arabic and skim milk enhances viability and efficacy of Pediococcus acidilactici probiotic strains for application in broiler chickens.

This study aimed to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a water-soluble microencapsulation method for probiotic strains using gum Arabic (GA) and skim milk (SKM) over a three-month storage period following processing. Four strains of Pediococcus acidilactici (BYF26, BYF20, BF9, and BF14) that were typical lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from the chicken gut were mixed with different ratios of GA and SKM as coating agents before spray drying at an inlet temperature 140°C. After processing, the survivability and probiotic qualities of the strains were assessed from two weeks to three months of storage at varied temperatures, and de-encapsulation was performed to confirm the soluble properties. Finally, the antibacterial activity of the probiotics was assessed under simulated gastrointestinal conditions. As shown by scanning electron microscopy, spray-drying produced a spherical, white-yellow powder. The encapsulation efficacy (percent) was greatest for a coating containing a combination of 30% gum Arabic: 30% skim milk (w/v) (GA:SKM30) compared to lower concentrations of the two ingredients (p<0.05). Coating with GA:SKM30 (w/v) significantly enhanced (p<0.05) BYF26 survival under simulated gastrointestinal conditions (pH 2.5 to 3) and maintained higher survival rates compared to non-encapsulated cells under an artificial intestinal juices condition of pH 6. De-encapsulation tests indicated that the encapsulated powder dissolved in water while keeping viable cell counts within the effective range of 106 for 6 hours. In addition, following three months storage at 4°C, microencapsulation of BYF26 in GA:SKM30 maintained both the number of viable cells (p<0.05) and the preparation's antibacterial efficacy against pathogenic bacteria, specifically strains of Salmonella. Our prototype water-soluble probiotic microencapsulation GA:SKM30 effectively maintains LAB characteristics and survival rates, demonstrating its potential for use in preserving probiotic strains that can be used in chickens and potentially in other livestock.

Feasibility of micro-organisms in soil bioremediation and dust control

Detrimental impacts of dust caused by mine tailings have yielded to several studies on the efficiency of different soil stabilizers. Bacterial stabilization has been recognized as a reality within recent decades, where bacteria could get adhesion to the grains and stabilize the soil particles. However, these bacteria are prone to be destroyed while exposed to the normal environmental conditions. In this study, the effects of microcapsules containing two types of bacterial freeze-dried spores (B.Subtilis Natto LMG 19457 and B.ESH) have been investigated on the mine tailing stability in terms of two parts. The first part of the study is dedicated to the fabrication of microcapsules within the two bacteria and identification of the characteristics of these microcapsules to set the time of microcapsules break and release in the soil. The urea-formaldehyde microcapsules containing tung oil were synthesized using microencapsulation method and at the following, the bacterial spores of B.Subtilis Natto LMG 19457 and B.ESH which had the high durability and the capability to grow in the silicon oil, were added to the microcapsules. The microcapsules effect on MT specimens and the viability of encapsulated spores were determined. The characteristics of the capsules were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermo-gravimetric thermal analysis (TGA). In the second part, wind tunnel tests were conducted to study the effects of microorganism stabilizers on mine tailings. The results indicated that the dust erosion reduced from 16% - using water as a stabilizer- to the 0.2% while using microcapsules containing B.Subtilis Natto LMG 19457 and 0.8% while using microcapsules containing ESH. The results showed the high efficiency of microcapsules containing bacteria in stabilizing the MTs. This phenomenon was proved by SEM imaging in which the voids were bounded significantly while using the bacteria.

Production Technology and Quality Assessment of Microcapsules of &lt;i&gt;Lycopus europaeus&lt;/i&gt; L. Herb Dry Extract

SCIENTIFIC RELEVANCE. The high hygroscopicity and poor flowability of herbal extracts complicate the manufacturing of medicinal products based on these active substances. Microencapsulation of dry herbal extracts reduces their hygroscopicity, improves their flowability, and expands their applicability. Further development of medicinal products based on herbal extracts requires a comparative analysis of the relationships between the quality of microparticles and the selected microencapsulation method.AIM. This study aimed to conduct a practical evaluation of a previously developed microcapsule production technology and to evaluate the quality of a microencapsulated dry extract of Lycopus europaeus L. herb.MATERIALS AND METHODS. The study analysed a dry extract of Lycopus europaeus herb with a thyrostatic effect, which was microencapsulated by dispersion. A film-forming agent was used to form the microcapsule shells (gelatine, grade P-11). The microcapsules were characterised by the following pharmacopoeial quality parameters: particle size, moisture content, and flowability. The qualitative and quantitative analysis of the dry extract of Lycopus europaeus herb used thin-layer chromatography and spectrophotometry.RESULTS. The study identified the optimum ratios for Lycopus europaeus herb dry extract and excipients as well as the procedure for ingredient addition during the microencapsulation process. The resulting microcapsules were homogeneous particles with a diameter of 50–300 µm, a moisture content of 3.21±0.12%, and a good flow. The encapsulation efficiency of the dispersion method reached 95.0±1.3%. In contrast to non-encapsulated dry extract particles, the particles of microencapsulated Lycopus europaeus herb dry extract had a spherical shape, smooth surface, and improved technological properties.CONCLUSIONS. The authors developed a microencapsulation technology for Lycopus europaeus herb dry extract. The study results confirmed the efficiency of the microencapsulation method in reducing the hygroscopicity of Lycopus europaeus herb dry extract, increasing its stability during storage, and optimising the further development of dosage forms.

Materials and methods used in microencapsulation of probiotic microorganisms

Objective: Probiotic microorganisms which constitute an important part of functional foods are living creatures that have been proven to benefit human health. However, most of the time they lose their vitality entirely or partly before reaching the human gastrointestinal system due to the various degenerative processes that they are exposed to during food production stages. Those who have been able to maintain their vitality are exposed to destructive bioprocesses in the digestive system. Conclusion: It is possible to provide the probiotic microorganisms to reach the target point by maintaining their vitality at an optimum level utilizing the microencapsulation method which we could consider as a technological packaging process. In this study, information is given about microencapsulation methods applied to probiotic microorganisms and the coating materials used.

Innovative Methods of Encapsulation and Enrichment of Cereal-Based Pasta Products with Biofunctional Compounds

Nowadays, cognizant consumers expect products that, in addition to fulfilling a nutritional role, exhibit health-promoting properties and contribute to overall well-being. They expect an increase in the nutritional value of the staple foods that they often consume, such as pasta, through the incorporation of bioactive compounds. Due to their susceptibility to photo- and thermolability, it is necessary to protect biocompounds against external factors. A modern approach to protecting bioactive compounds is microencapsulation. The aim of this article was to present various microencapsulation methods (including spray-drying, freeze-drying, liposomes, and others) and a review of research on the use of microencapsulated bioactive compounds in pasta. The discussed literature indicates that it is possible to use microencapsulated bioactive compounds, such as fatty acids or phenolic compounds, in this product. However, further research is necessary to develop the possibility of reducing the costs of such a procedure so that the benefits for consumers are greater than the disadvantages, which are an increase in food prices. There is also little research on the use of microencapsulated probiotics, vitamins, and minerals in pasta, which also represents an opportunity for development in this aspect.