Nanoemulsions to Preserve/Process Bioactive and Nutritional Food Compounds: Contemporary Research and Applications

The bioactive food compounds have various health benefits including prevention of chronic health problems, however poor aqueous solubility, low bioavailability and stability issues limit its clinical use. The applications of nanoemulsion in various food industries for the delivery of bioactive and nutritional food compounds have generated a huge market demand in comparison to conventional emulsions. Nano emulsion formulation can overcome the challenges by encapsulating the bioactive compounds to prevent their degradation caused by temperature, pH and oxidation. Moreover, the small particle size of nanoemulsions can enhance the absorption of bioactive compounds from the gastro-intestinal tract, thus increasing bioavailability. This chapter includes an overview about formulation of nanoemulsions containing bioactive and nutritional food compounds. The chapter also discusses the contemporary research and applications of various bioactive compounds, such as bioactive lipids, flavonoids, vitamins, oils, carotenoids containing nanoemulsions to preserve or enhance its therapeutic efficacy.