Stability, bioaccessibility and bioavailability of vitamins in different delivery systems

Vitamins, essential micronutrients, take a key role in vital metabolic functions. However, exposure to heat, light and oxygen during food processing, pH changes, formation of complexes with other food components during storage and gastrointestinal digestion cause degradation of vitamins. Hence, encapsulation techniques have been applied to create a barrier against harsh environmental conditions, maintain stability and functionality of the vitamins. This review provided detailed information about encapsulation techniques focusing on stability, bioaccessibility and bioavailability of vitamins. According to results, liposomes and oleogels can provide over 80 % stability for vitamin C, while emulsion-based delivery systems allow more than 70% stability for vitamin A. Spray-dried microcapsules enhance bioavailability up to 1.5-fold for vitamin B₁₂. Nano-delivery systems can offer 75-88 % bioaccessibility and enhance cellular transport of vitamin D up to five-fold. Consequently, encapsulated vitamins can be utilized in nutraceutical formulations due to their improved in vitro retention.