Author(s)

Xin Chen ¹, Chunfeng Chen ¹, Yihao Wang ¹, Dongdong Chen ¹, Yonghua Peng ¹, Jun Zhou ¹, Qunxian He ¹

Affiliation(s)

¹ Shenzhen Shenbao Huacheng Tech, Co., Ltd., Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518066, China

Corresponding Author

Qunxian He

ABSTRACT

Consumers' increasing demand for natural and functional foods has led researchers to explore the potential of polyphenols found in tea and herbs, including flavonoids and phytochemicals. However, these compounds are inherently unstable and have poor bioavailability due to their susceptibility to degradation under various environmental conditions such as light, heat, and pH. This limits their utility in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics industries. The advent of nanoencapsulation technology has provided a novel solution to address these challenges. This review article comprehensively examines recent advances in the nanoencapsulation of bioactive compounds from tea (Camellia sinensis) and various traditional medicinal substances. The critique encompasses a range of nanocarriers including Liposomes, Niosomes, Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs), polymeric nanoparticles, and Nanoemulsions. The discussion includes insights on formulation methods, encapsulation efficiency, stability, and controlled release mechanisms for each system. Furthermore, the review highlights the enhanced antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activities of bioactives achieved through nanoencapsulation. Case studies featuring green tea catechins, curcumin, quercetin, and essential oils from herbs illustrate the practical applications and outcomes of this technology. Lastly,the review addresses the current status of safety, regulatory considerations, and commercial viability of nanocapsulated plant bioactives, paving the way for the development of future functional products.

KEYWORDS

Nanoencapsulation, Plant Bioactives, Tea, Herbs, Bioavailability, Functional Foods

CITE THIS PAPER

Xin Chen, Chunfeng Chen, Yihao Wang, Dongdong Chen, Yonghua Peng, Jun Zhou, Qunxian He, Recent Developments in Nanoencapsulation of Plant Bioactives from Tea and Herbs. Advances in Food Science and Human Nutrition (2025) Vol.7: 60-64. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.23977/afshn.2025.070109.

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