Skip to main content
Log in

Edible coatings as encapsulating matrices for bioactive compounds: a review

  • Review
  • Published:
Journal of Food Science and Technology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Edible coatings can extend the shelf-life of many foods, controlling moisture and solute migration, gas exchange and oxidative reaction rates. Besides, edible coatings can be used as carriers of bioactive compounds to improve the quality of food products such as antioxidants, antimicrobials, flavors and probiotics. These approaches can be useful to extend shelf-life as well as provide a functional product. When edible coatings are used as a matrix holding bioactive compounds remarkable benefits arise; off odors and flavors can be masked, bioactive compounds are protected from the environment, and controlled release is allowed. In this sense, the present review will be focused on analyzing the potential use of encapsulation with edible coatings to incorporate bioactive compounds, solving the disadvantages of direct application.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ahmadi A, Milani E, Madadlou A, Mortazavi SA, Mokarram RR, Salarbashi D (2012) Synbiotic yogurt-ice cream produced via incorporation of microencapsulated lactobacillus acidophilus (la-5) and fructooligosaccharide. J Food Sci Technol:1–7.

  • Amine KM, Champagne CP, Raymond Y, St-Gelais D, Britten M, Fustier P, Salmieri S, Lacroix M (2014) Survival of microencapsulated Bifidobacterium longum in Cheddar cheese during production and storage. Food Control 37:193–199

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ayala Zavala J, Del Toro Sánchez L, Álvarez Parrilla E, González Aguilar G (2008) High relative humidity in package of fresh cut fruits and vegetables: advantage or disadvantage considering microbiological problems and antimicrobial delivering systems? J Food Sci 73(4):R41–R47

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ayala-Zavala J, Soto-Valdez H, González-León A, Álvarez-Parrilla E, Martín-Belloso O, González-Aguilar G (2008) Microencapsulation of cinnamon leaf (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) and garlic (Allium sativum) oils in -cyclodextrin. J Incl Phenom Macro 60(3):359–368

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ayala-Zavala JF, González-Aguilar GA, Del-Toro-Sánchez L (2009) Enhancing safety and aroma appealing of fresh-cut fruits and vegetables using the antimicrobial and aromatic power of essential oils. J Food Sci 74(7):R84–R91

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ayala-Zavala JF, Vega-Vega V, Rosas-Domínguez C, Palafox-Carlos H, Villa-Rodríguez JA, Siddiqui MW, Dávila-Avina JE, González-Aguilar GA (2011) Agro-industrial potential of exotic fruit byproducts as a source of food additives. Food Res Int 44(7):1866–1874

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Azarakhsh N, Osman A, Ghazali HM, Tan CP, Mohd Adzahan N (2014) Lemongrass essential oil incorporated into alginate-based edible coating for shelf-life extension and quality retention of fresh-cut pineapple. Postharvest Biol Technol 88:1–7

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Baldwin EA, Hagenmaier RD, Bai J (2012) Edible coatings and films to improve food quality. CRC Press Llc, Boca Raton

    Google Scholar 

  • Baranauskien R, Bylait E, Žukauskait J, Venskutonis RP (2007) Flavor retention of peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) essential oil spray-dried in modified starches during encapsulation and storage. J Agr Food Chem 55(8):3027–3036

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Biquet B, Labuza T (1988) Evaluation of the moisture permeability characteristics of chocolate films as an edible moisture barrier. J Food Sci 53(4):989–998

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bourtoom T (2008) Edible films and coatings: characteristics and properties. Int Food Res J 15(3):237–248

    Google Scholar 

  • Champagne CP, Fustier P (2007) Microencapsulation for the improved delivery of bioactive compounds into foods. Curr Opin Biotechnol 18(2):184–190

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Charve J, Reineccius GA (2009) Encapsulation performance of proteins and traditional materials for spray dried flavors. J Agr Food Chem 57(6):2486–2492

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chichlowski M, Croom J, McBride B, Havenstein G, Koci M (2007) Metabolic and physiological impact of probiotics or direct-fed-microbials on poultry: a brief review of current knowledge. Int J Poult Sci 6(10):694–704

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chiu P, Lai L (2010) Antimicrobial activities of tapioca starch/decolorized hsian-tsao leaf gum coatings containing green tea extracts in fruit-based salads, romaine hearts and pork slices. Int J Food Microbiol 139(1–2):23–30

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cuq B, Gontard N, Guilbert S (1995) Edible films and coatings as active layers. In: Active food packaging. Springer, pp 111–142

  • De Kruif CG, Weinbreck F, de Vries R (2004) Complex coacervation of proteins and anionic polysaccharides. Curr Opin Colloid Interface Sci 9(5):340–349

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Roos KB (2000) Physicochemical models of flavor release from foods. In: ACS symposium series, ACS Publications, pp 126–141

  • Debeaufort F, Voilley A (2009) Edible films and coatings for food applications. Springer, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Del Toro-Sánchez C, Ayala-Zavala J, Machi L, Santacruz H, Villegas-Ochoa M, Álvarez-Parrilla E, González-Aguilar G (2010) Controlled release of antifungal volatiles of thyme essential oil from -cyclodextrin capsules. J Incl Phenom Macro 67(3):431–441

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Desobry S, Debeaufort F (2012) 11 Encapsulation of flavors, nutraceuticals, and antibacterials. In: Bai J (ed) Edible Coatings and Films to Improve Food Quality. p 333

  • Dhall R (2013) Advances in edible coatings for fresh fruits and vegetables: a review. Crit Rev Food Sci 53(5):435–450

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Durand L, Habran N, Henschel V, Amighi K (2010) Encapsulation of ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, a light-sensitive UV filter, in lipid nanoparticles. J Microencapsul 27(8):714–725

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Efraim P, Marson GC, Jardim DC, Garcia AO, Yotsuynagi K (2011) Influence of phytosterols addition in the rheology and sensory attributes of dark chocolate. Proc Food Sci 1:1633–1637

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Espitia PJP, Du W-X, Avena-Bustillos RJ, NdFF S, McHugh T (2013) Edible films from pectin: physical-mechanical and antimicrobial properties-a review. Food Hydrocoll 35:287–296

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fabra MJ, Chambin O, Voilley A, Gay JP, Debeaufort F (2012) Influence of temperature and NaCl on the release in aqueous liquid media of aroma compounds encapsulated in edible films. J Food Eng 108(1):30–36

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Falguera V, Quintero JP, Jimenez A, Munoz JA, Ibarz A (2011) Edible films and coatings: structures, active functions and trends in their use. Trends Food Sci Technol 22(6):292–303

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fang Z, Bhandari B (2010) Encapsulation of polyphenols-a review. Trends Food Sci Technol 21(10):510–523

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ferreira I, Rocha S, Coelho M (2007) Encapsulation of antioxidants by spray-drying. Chem Eng Trans 11(2):713–717

    Google Scholar 

  • Fisher K, Phillips C (2008) Potential antimicrobial uses of essential oils in food: is citrus the answer? Trends Food Sci Technol 19(3):156–164

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Franz C, Stiles M, Schleifer K, Holzapfel W (2003) Enterococci in foods–a conundrum for food safety. Int J Food Microbiol 88(2–3):105–122

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • González Aguilar GA, Celis J, Sotelo Mundo RR, De La Rosa LA, Rodrigo García J, Álvarez Parrilla E (2008) Physiological and biochemical changes of different fresh cut mango cultivars stored at 5 °C. Int J Food Sci Technol 43(1):91–101

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Granado-Lorencio F, Herrero-Barbudo C, Olmedilla-Alonso B, Blanco-Navarro I, Pérez-Sacristán B (2010) Lutein bioavailability from lutein ester-fortified fermented milk: in vivo and in vitro study. J Nutr Biochem 21(2):133–139

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Guerrero P, Retegi A, Gabilondo N, De la Caba K (2010) Mechanical and thermal properties of soy protein films processed by casting and compression. J Food Eng 100(1):145–151

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hernández Izquierdo V, Krochta J (2008) Thermoplastic processing of proteins for film formation—a review. J Food Sci 73(2):30–39

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hirotsuka M, Taniguchi H, Narita H, Kito M (1984) Calcium fortification of soy milk with calcium lecithin liposome system. J Food Sci 49(4):1111–1112

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Janjarasskul T, Krochta J (2010) Edible packaging materials. Annu Rev Food Sci Technol 1:415–448

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kayaci F, Uyar T (2012) Encapsulation of vanillin/cyclodextrin inclusion complex in electrospun polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanowebs: prolonged shelf-life and high temperature stability of vanillin. Food Chem 133(3):641–649

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kester J, Fennema O (1986) Edible films and coatings: a review. Food Technol 40:47–59

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kolanowski W, Laufenberg G, Kunz B (2004) Fish oil stabilisation by microencapsulation with modified cellulose. Int J Food Sci Nutr 55(4):333–343

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kris-Etherton PM, Hecker KD, Bonanome A, Coval SM, Binkoski AE, Hilpert KF, Griel AE, Etherton TD (2002) Bioactive compounds in foods: their role in the prevention of cardiovascular disease and cancer. Am J Med 113(9):71–88

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krochta JM, Nisperos-Carriedo MO (1994) Edible coatings and films to improve food quality. CRC Press Llc, Boca Raton

    Google Scholar 

  • Lahtinen SJ (2012) Probiotic viability–does it matter? Microb Ecol Health Dis 23:10–14

    Google Scholar 

  • Laohakunjit N, Kerdchoechuen O (2007) Aroma enrichment and the change during storage of non-aromatic milled rice coated with extracted natural flavor. Food Chem 101(1):339–344

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • López de Lacey A, López-Caballero M, Gómez-Guillén M, Montero P (2012) Functionality of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum incorporated to edible coatings and films. Innov Food Sci Emerg Technol 16:277–282

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lynch SR (1997) Interaction of iron with other nutrients. Nutr Rev 55(4):102–110

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Madene A, Jacquot M, Scher J, Desobry S (2006) Flavour encapsulation and controlled release–a review. Int J Food Sci Technol 41(1):1–21

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mei Y, Zhao Y, Yang J, Furr H (2002) Using edible coating to enhance nutritional and sensory qualities of baby carrots. J Food Sci 67(5):1964–1968

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Milanovic J, Manojlovic V, Levic S, Rajic N, Nedovic V, Bugarski B (2010) Microencapsulation of flavors in carnauba wax. Sensor 10(1):901–912

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Moayednia N, Ehsani MR, Emamdjomeh Z, Asadi MM, Mizani M, Mazaheri AF (2009) The Effect of sodium alginate concentrations on viability of immobilized lactobacillus acidophilus in fruit alginate coating during refrigerator storage. Aust J Basic Appl Sci 3(4):3213–3226

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Moayednia N, Ehsani MR, Emamdjomeh Z, Asadi MM, Mizani M, Mazaheri AF (2010) Effect of refrigeration on viability of immobilized probiotic bacteria in alginate coat of strawberry. World Appl Sci J 10(4):472–476

    Google Scholar 

  • Mourtzinos I, Kalogeropoulos N, Papadakis S, Konstantinou K, Karathanos V (2008) Encapsulation of nutraceutical monoterpenes in cyclodextrin and modified starch. J Food Sci 73(1):89–94

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Muranyi P (2013) Functional edible coatings for fresh food products. J Food Process Technol 4:e114

    Google Scholar 

  • Muthukumarasamy P, Holley R (2006) Microbiological and sensory quality of dry fermented sausages containing alginate-microencapsulated Lactobacillus reuteri. Int J Food Microbiol 111(2):164–169

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nyström L, Achrenius T, Lampi A, Moreau R, Piironen V (2007) A comparison of the antioxidant properties of steryl ferulates with tocopherol at high temperatures. Food Chem 101(3):947–954

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Olivas G, Mattinson D, Barbosa-Cánovas G (2007) Alginate coatings for preservation of minimally processed ‘Gala’ apples. Postharvest Biol Tecnol 45(1):89–96

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Olivas G, Maya I, Espino-Díaz J, Molina-Corral J, Olivas-Dorantes C, Sepulveda D (2012) Metabolization of linoleic acid and isoleucine for aroma production in fresh-cut ‘Golden Delicious’ apples using alginate coatings as the holding matrix. Paper presented at the Institute of Food Technologists IFT Annual Meeting, Las Vegas, NV, E.U

  • Oliveira DM, Kwiatkowski A, Rosa CILF, Clemente E (2012) Refrigeration and edible coatings in blackberry (Rubus spp.) conservation. J Food Sci Technol:1–7.

  • Oms-Oliu G, Soliva-Fortuny R, Martín-Belloso O (2008) Edible coatings with antibrowning agents to maintain sensory quality and antioxidant properties of fresh-cut pears. Postharvest Biol Technol 50(1):87–94

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Partanen R, Ahro M, Hakala M, Kallio H, Forssell P (2002) Microencapsulation of caraway extract in ß-cyclodextrin and modified starches. Eur Food Res Technol 214(3):242–247

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pascall MA, Lin S-J (2013) The application of edible polymeric films and coatings in the food industry. J Food Process Technol 4(2):e116

    Google Scholar 

  • Pidcock K, Heard G, Henriksson A (2002) Application of nontraditional meat starter cultures in production of hungarian salami. Int J Food Microbiol 76(1–2):75–81

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ponce A, Roura S, del Valle C, Moreira M (2008) Antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of edible coatings enriched with natural plant extracts: in vitro and in vivo studies. Postharvest Biol Technol 49(2):294–300

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pothakamury UR, Barbosa-Cánovas GV (1995) Fundamental aspects of controlled release in foods. Trends Food Sci Technol 6(12):397–406

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ranadheera R, Baines S, Adams M (2010) Importance of food in probiotic efficacy. Food Res Int 43(1):1–7

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rauha JP, Remes S, Heinonen M, Hopia A, Kähkönen M, Kujala T, Pihlaja K, Vuorela H, Vuorela P (2000) Antimicrobial effects of Finnish plant extracts containing flavonoids and other phenolic compounds. Int J Food Microbiol 56(1):3–12

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ravichandran K, Palaniraj R, Saw NMMT, Gabr AMM, Ahmed AR, Knorr D, Smetanska I (2012) Effects of different encapsulation agents and drying process on stability of betalains extract. J Food Sci Technol:1–6.

  • Raybaudi-Massilia RM, Mosqueda-Melgar J, Martín-Belloso O (2008) Edible alginate-based coating as carrier of antimicrobials to improve shelf-life and safety of fresh-cut melon. Int J Food Microbiol 121(3):313–327

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ribaya-Mercado JD, Blumberg JB (2004) Lutein and zeaxanthin and their potential roles in disease prevention. J Am Coll Nutr 23(sup6):567S–587S

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Riccioni G (2009) Carotenoids and cardiovascular disease. Curr Atheroscler Rep 11(6):434–439

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Robles-Sánchez RM, Rojas-Graü MA, Odriozola-Serrano I, González-Aguilar G, Martin-Belloso O (2013) Influence of alginate-based edible coating as carrier of antibrowning agents on bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity in fresh-cut Kent mangoes. LWT-Food Sci Technol 50(1):240–246

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rodgers S (2007) Incorporation of probiotic cultures in foodservice products: an exploratory study. J Food Serv 18(3):108–118

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rojas-Graü M, Raybaudi-Massilia R, Soliva-Fortuny R, Avena-Bustillos R, McHugh T, Martín-Belloso O (2007) Apple puree-alginate edible coating as carrier of antimicrobial agents to prolong shelf-life of fresh-cut apples. Postharvest Biol Technol 45(2):254–264

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Salminen S, Von Wright A (2011) Lactic acid bacteria: microbiological and functional aspects. CRC Press, Boca Raton

    Google Scholar 

  • Salminen S, Ouwehand A, Benno Y, Lee Y (1999) Probiotics: how should they be defined? Trends Food Sci Technol 10(3):107–110

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Saucedo-Pompa S, Rojas-Molina R, Aguilera-Carbó AF, Saenz-Galindo A, Garza HL, Jasso-Cantú D, Aguilar CN (2009) Edible film based on candelilla wax to improve the shelf life and quality of avocado. Food Res Int 42(4):511–515

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sereno N, Hill S, Taylor A, Mitchell J, Davies S (2009) Aroma permeability of hydroxypropyl maize starch films. J Agr Food Chem 57(3):985–990

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sharafi H, Alidost L, Lababpour A, Zahiri HS, Abbasi H, Vali H, Noghabi KA (2013) Antibacterial activity of probiotic lactobacillus plantarum HK01: effect of divalent metal cations and food additives on production efficiency of antibacterial compounds. Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins:1–10.

  • Shinde T, Sun-Waterhouse D, Brooks J (2013) Co-extrusion encapsulation of probiotic lactobacillus acidophilus alone or together with apple skin polyphenols: an aqueous and value-added delivery system using alginate. Food Bioprocess Technol:1–16.

  • Silva-Weiss A, Ihl M, Sobral P, Gómez-Guillén M, Bifani V (2013) Natural additives in bioactive edible films and coatings: functionality and applications in foods. Food Eng Rev 5(4):200–216

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Skurtys O, Acevedo C, Pedreschi F, Enrione J, Osorio F, Aguilera J (2010) Food hydrocolloid edible films and coatings. Nova Science Pub Inc, Hauppauge

    Google Scholar 

  • Sohail A, Turner MS, Prabawati EK, Coombes AG, Bhandari B (2012) Evaluation of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM encapsulated using a novel impinging aerosol method in fruit food products. Int J Food Microbiol 157(2):162–166

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Song Y, Liu L, Shen H, You J, Luo Y (2010) Effect of sodium alginate-based edible coating containing different antioxidants on quality and shelf life of refrigerated bream (Megalobrama amblycephala). Food Control 22(3–4):608–615

    Google Scholar 

  • Soottitantawat A, Yoshii H, Furuta T, Ohgawara M, Forssell P, Partanen R, Poutanen K, Linko P (2004) Effect of water activity on the release characteristics and oxidative stability of d-limonene encapsulated by spray drying. J Agric Food Chem 52(5):1269–1276

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Souza T, Silva A, Drews J, Gomes D, Vinderola C, Nicoli J (2013) In vitro evaluation of Bifidobacterium strains of human origin for potential use in probiotic functional foods. Benefic Microbes 4(2):179–186

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tajkarimi MM, Ibrahim SA, Cliver DO (2010) Antimicrobial herb and spice compounds in food. Food Control 21(9):1199–1218

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tapia M, Rojas Graü M, Rodríguez F, Ramírez J, Carmona A, Martin Belloso O (2007) Alginate and gellan based edible films for probiotic coatings on fresh cut fruits. J Food Sci 72(4):190–196

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Viskupicova J, Danihelova M, Ondrejovic M, Liptaj T, Sturdik E (2010) Lipophilic rutin derivatives for antioxidant protection of oil-based foods. Food Chem 123(1):45–50

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zinoviadou KG, Koutsoumanis KP, Biliaderis CG (2009) Physico-chemical properties of whey protein isolate films containing oregano oil and their antimicrobial action against spoilage flora of fresh beef. Meat Sci 82(3):338–345

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gustavo A. González-Aguilar.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Quirós-Sauceda, A.E., Ayala-Zavala, J.F., Olivas, G.I. et al. Edible coatings as encapsulating matrices for bioactive compounds: a review. J Food Sci Technol 51, 1674–1685 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-013-1246-x

Download citation

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-013-1246-x

Keywords

Navigation