Artificial intelligence in revolutionizing food encapsulation: Applications ranging from discovery to deployment

Area of Science:

• Food Science and Technology
• Materials Science
• Artificial Intelligence

Background:

• Encapsulation technology preserves bioactive compounds and controls delivery.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers transformative potential for smart material development.
• AI integration in food processing is growing, but nascent in food encapsulation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically review AI integration in food encapsulation from lab to market.
• To discuss AI's role across the four commercialization stages: discovery, development, evaluation, and deployment.
• To highlight opportunities for AI-driven enhancements in food encapsulation.

Main Methods:

• Narrative review of approximately 200 articles (2020-2025).
• Analysis of AI integration at key food encapsulation formulation steps.
• Explanation of AI fundamentals and tools for understanding applications.

Main Results:

• AI application in food encapsulation is in early stages but shows promising capabilities.
• Key research domains for AI integration include material selection, process optimization, and quality control.
• Commercialization stages (discovery, development, evaluation, deployment) are defined with AI's potential role.

Conclusions:

• AI integration in food encapsulation requires more data and interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Addressing computational complexity will enable customized solutions for encapsulated foods.
• AI has significant potential to accelerate innovation and commercialization in food encapsulation.