Co-encapsulation of bioactive components using protein-based various assemblies: Necessary, assembling structure, location and partition

Background

Bioactive components (BCs) have been used in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic fields. Due to chemical instability, low solubility and low bioavailability, it is necessary to design the edible carriers for their encapsulation, protection and delivery. Proteins assemble to form various supramolecular structures as potential carriers of BCs. With the development of food science, it puts forward higher requirements for structural design and functional customization of edible carriers. In order to provide multiple health benefits, synergistic bioactivity and improved stability, these provide motivation to simultaneously encapsulate multiple BCs in a carrier.

Scope and approach

This review introduces the necessary for simultaneous encapsulation of multiple BCs in a carrier and the co-encapsulation of BCs with similar solubility and highlights the separated co-encapsulation of multiple BCs with different solubility using protein assemblies, including their partition, protection and delivery.

Key findings and conclusions

Protein-based assemblies can be used for the co-encapsulation of multiple BCs. The encapsulation of multiple BCs with similar solubility resembles that of a single one at high content to some extent. The co-encapsulation of BCs with different solubility could be achieved using the assemblies with different domains, such as emulsion gels, oil-in-water emulsions, water-in-oil-water emulsions. Furthermore, BCs could also be separately co-encapsulated using molecular complexes and nano/micro-particles with homogeneous, core-shell and hollow structures. It would be advantageous to co-encapsulate, protect and delivery BCs by designing protein-based carriers with novel structure, clarifying mass transfer of BCs in a carrier, and considering the interaction of proteins with BCs or their decomposition products.