Microchannel emulsification: A promising technique towards encapsulation of functional compounds

Abstract

This review provides an overview of microchannel emulsification (MCE) for production of functional monodispersed emulsion droplets. The main emphasis has been put on functional bioactive encapsulation using grooved-type and straight-through microchannel array plates. MCE successfully encapsulates the bioactive like β-carotene, oleuropein, γ-oryzanol, β-sitosterol, L-ascorbic acid and ascorbic acid derivatives, vitamin D and quercetin. These bioactive were encapsulated in a variety of delivery systems like simple and multiple emulsions, polymeric particles, microgels, solid lipid particles and functional vesicles. The droplet generation process in MCE is based upon spontaneous transformation of interfaces rather than high energy shear stress systems. The scale-up of MCE can increase the productivity of monodispersed droplets >100 L h −1 and makes it a promising tool at industrial level. © 2017, © 2017 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Keywords: Delivery systems, Emulsification, Encapsulation, Functional bioactive.