The genus Hibiscus includes more than 250 species, and many studies showed that these plants contain bioactive compounds with technological potential to be used in the development of functional foods. However, the instability of these compounds during typical food processing conditions, such as exposure to high temperatures, pH changes and presence of light and oxygen have stimulated the use of encapsulation techniques to increase their stability and applicability. Among the existing Hibiscus species, only H. sabdariffa, H. cannabinus, and H. acetosella have been investigated in encapsulation studies, being spray drying the most common method approached. Considering the high technological potential offered by the incorporation of encapsulated bioactive compounds from plants of the genus Hibiscus in food formulations, this review discusses key information of selected encapsulation techniques, which represents promising alternatives to increase food systems' stability and stimulate the design of new functional foods. Relevant gaps in the literature were also noticed, mainly the lack of systematic studies regarding the composition of bioactive compounds after encapsulation, instead of total determinations, and biological activities in different analytical systems, such as antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties as well as bioaccessibility and bioavailability.
Keywords: Antioxidants; Colloidal systems; Food stability; Hibiscus acetosella; Hibiscus cannabinus; Hibiscus sabdariffa.
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