Bioactive pigments in functional foods: Insights into their diversity, extraction, and applications

Functional food refers to food containing health-promoting additives or nutrients that support human wellness. The industry has grown rapidly due to increasing consumer interest in nutritious and functional products. Pigment-enriched functional foods have emerged as a novel concept in nutrition, offering neuroprotective, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects that help reduce the risk of chronic illnesses. Key innovations such as microencapsulation, nanosensors, nanoencapsulation, and nano delivery systems are transforming the food industry. Nanocarriers improve the targeted delivery of bioactive pigments and ingredients by crossing biological barriers efficiently. These technologies allow controlled nutrient release, precise ingredient delivery, and pollutant detection. Collaboration among researchers, food scientists, healthcare professionals, and policymakers is essential to translate scientific discoveries into real health benefits. This review highlights the potential of functional meals enriched with bio-pigments and explores how nanotechnology and microencapsulation are opening new avenues in therapeutic dietary strategies and personalized nutrition while addressing future health challenges.