Advances in the Preservation of Plant-Based Pigments via Spray Drying—A Systematic Review

Natural pigments derived from plant sources are notable not only for their vibrant colors but also for their nutritional value and proven biological activities. Spray drying has emerged as an efficient and cost-effective encapsulation technique, offering significant advantages such as enhanced stability, improved handling properties, and protection against degradation. The diverse range of natural wall materials (e.g., polysaccharides, proteins, and lipids) and the variability in spray drying operating conditions provide numerous possibilities to optimize encapsulation processes. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate and compare the key factors influencing spray drying encapsulation of plant-based pigments. ResearchGate, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched between July and December 2024. Data extraction was performed manually using a standardized form to collect information on plant source, pigment type, wall materials (type and concentration), spray drying conditions (in-let/outlet temperatures and feed flow rate), and process results (encapsulation efficiency, process yield, and total pigment content). Future advances in spray drying should focus on the optimization of spray drying conditions. Furthermore, innovations in spray drying formulations, such as customized combinations of polysaccharides and proteins or the incorporation of emulsifiers, could lead to more effective and scalable encapsulation processes, supporting the development of high-performance stable pigments for food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical applications.