Recent advances and applications of encapsulated microbial and non-microbial active agents in the manufacture of food and beverages

Abstract

Encapsulation is a well-established process that allows formulation of a wide range of active agents within a defined carrier material using various techniques. This chapter describes the general concept and benefits of microbial and non-microbial active food ingredient encapsulation, existing encapsulation technologies and examples of the use of loaded capsules for the protection and enhanced delivery of these constituents in food products. We describe existing knowledge of the most important characteristics of food-specific materials, capsule morphologies and methods that are applied or that may be tailored to encapsulation of active ingredients, with emphasis on microbial cells, bioactive compounds and flavours, for use in food industry. Improvements made by encapsulated cell technology in fermentation processes and in the microbial production of high-value food ingredients are reviewed. Current trends and future perspectives are also discussed.