Recent updates of carotenoid encapsulation by spray-drying technique

Area of Science:

• Food Science
• Nutritional Biochemistry

Background:

• Carotenoids are vital pigments susceptible to degradation from light, heat, and oxygen, leading to loss of beneficial properties.
• Isomerization and oxidation significantly reduce carotenoid efficacy, necessitating protective strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review spray drying encapsulation of carotenoids over the last 15 years.
• To highlight the impact of operational conditions and wall materials on carotenoid stability and encapsulation.
• To explore future applications and trends in carotenoid microencapsulation.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature review of spray drying encapsulation techniques for carotenoids.
• Analysis of studies focusing on wall materials (proteins, polysaccharides) and process parameters.
• Evaluation of encapsulation efficiency and carotenoid stability data.

Main Results:

• Spray drying is an effective method for protecting carotenoids through microencapsulation.
• Controlling spray drying operational conditions is crucial for maximizing encapsulation efficiency.
• Combinations of proteins and polysaccharides as wall materials show promise for enhanced carotenoid stabilization.

Conclusions:

• Spray drying encapsulation offers a viable strategy for stabilizing carotenoids and enabling controlled delivery.
• Further research into optimized wall materials and process parameters can unlock new functional food applications.
• This review provides insights for developing stable, carotenoid-rich food products.