Colloidal delivery systems for micronutrients and nutraceuticals

TLDR

Formulating micronutrients and nutraceuticals in functional foods presents technological challenges, as their incorporation can compromise product stability, sensory attributes, and bioavailability. This review outlines general strategies for employing colloidal dispersions as delivery systems for micronutrients and nutraceuticals, providing illustrative examples for novel functional food design.

Abstract

The formulation of micronutrients and nutraceuticals in the design of functional foods brings enormous technological challenges. The incorporation of micronutrients and/or nutraceuticals can compromise the product functionality. Issues often encountered are related to unwanted changes in the product physico-chemical stability, appearance, texture, flavour, taste and bioavailability due to inherited instability or interactions with other ingredients. This review intends to present the general strategies in using colloidal dispersions as delivery systems for micronutrients and nutraceuticals. Some illustrative examples will be given on how colloidal delivery systems can be utilised in the design of novel functional foods.