Nanoencapsulation of bioactive compounds: recent advances in food systems for enhanced stability and bioavailability.

Bioactive compounds from natural sources offer significant health benefits but face challenges including poor stability, low bioavailability, and degradation during processing and storage. Nanoencapsulation has emerged as a transformative technology to protect these sensitive compounds and enhance their functionality in food matrices. This review systematically examines recent advances (2022-2025) in nanoencapsulation strategies for bioactive compounds, organized as follows: (1) a methodology section detailing literature search strategy and inclusion/exclusion criteria; (2) a comparative analysis of major nanocarrier platforms (lipid-based, biopolymer-based, and hybrid systems) organized by functional properties; (3) mechanisms of stability enhancement and controlled release; (4) bioavailability enhancement and gastrointestinal fate; (5) industrial applications, economic feasibility, and regulatory landscape; and (6) future perspectives including AI-driven design and personalized nutrition. Special attention is given to innovative encapsulation materials derived from food waste, plant-based proteins, and polysaccharides aligned with sustainability principles. The review highlights breakthrough findings in controlled release mechanisms, gastrointestinal stability, and cellular uptake pathways. Regulatory considerations, safety assessments, and industrial scalability are comprehensively discussed.