Oral bioavailability is the key to the bioefficiency of food bioactive ingredients; it evaluates the relationship between foods and their health benefits. The analysis of the main factors limiting the oral bioavailability (bioaccessibility, absorption, and transformation) has led to the proposal of classification systems for pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals (Biopharmaceuticals Classification System and Nutraceutical Bioavailability Classification Scheme). Based on the relevant studies published in the last decade, this review presents the essential aspects regarding the factors limiting the oral bioavailability of the biocomponents and different in vitro methods used to investigate the mechanisms involved in the digestion, absorption, and metabolism of biocomponents, particularly encapsulated bioactive compounds. Oral bioavailability investigated by in vitro studies provides the food and drug manufacturers with information to formulate delivery systems more efficiently and to determine the dosage of biocomponents for increase the health benefits and avoid or reduce the risk of toxicity.
Keywords: bioaccessibility; bioactives classification; bioactivity; bioavailability; in vitro gastrointestinal models.
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