Omega-۳ derived from Fish Oil and Probiotics Synergist Effect through Co-Encapsulation: A review

Functional foods represent a rapidly growing sector in the food industry. One area of emerging research and product development involves the creation of functional foods that combine omega-۳ fatty acids and probiotic bacteria through a co-microencapsulation process. This review present relevant literature on various microencapsulation methods, with a specific focus on incorporating probiotic bacteria and omega-۳ oils into a single delivery format. The review encompasses information on the benefits and drawbacks of co-encapsulation using three different methods, as well as the bio-accessibility of omega-۳ in the human gastrointestinal tract. While co-encapsulation has been extensively utilized in pharmaceutical delivery systems, it is a relatively new concept in stabilizing and delivering food ingredients. There is a commercial demand for co-encapsulation of multiple bioactive ingredients within a single microcapsule due to cost reduction and improved product quality. While in-vitro evaluations provide valuable insights, further in-vivo and clinical trials are necessary to determine the effectiveness of bioactive ingredient release, particularly in microcapsules containing multiple bioactive components.CONCLUSIONThe technical and commercial feasibility of microencapsulating omega-۳ oils and probiotic bacteria for their incorporation into food products has been established. However, it is necessary to conduct tests to assess the compatibility of these microcapsules with various food and beverage items, in order to understand their impact on product shelf-life and sensory characteristics. Currently, there are functional foods available that are fortified with either omega-۳ oils or probiotic bacteria, but not both. There is a growing demand in the market for the co-encapsulation of multiple ingredients within a single microcapsule, as it offers cost savings and enhances product quality. Various coating techniques, such as fluidized-bed drying, have demonstrated their effectiveness in co-encapsulating multiple unstable components.