Encapsulation technologies applied to bioactive phenolic compounds and probiotics with potential application on chronic inflammation

Polyphenols are a group of phytochemicals with multiple associated beneficial effects, especially focused on alleviating damage from oxidative stress and associated inflammatory processes. Furthermore, in recent years there has been growing research on the synergy, already reported, between polyphenols and the microbiota. However, the bioavailability of phenolic compounds in the body appears to be somewhat limited. Consequently, controlled release strategies such as encapsulations could be an effective alternative to ensure adequate delivery to the site of action. This chapter aims to review the literature published to date on the following: (1) Digestion and absorption of phenolic compounds, (2) encapsulation process applied to improve the bioaccesibility/bioavailability of these compounds, (3) probiotic encapsulation process, (4) known synergistic interactions between polyphenols and microbiota, associated with inflammatory processes.