Oleogels as novel carriers for improving the bioaccessibility of bioactive compounds: From design to applications in food products

The amount of bioactive compounds (bioactives) that are consumed, as well as the amount that becomes bioavailable and bioaccessible in our body, determines their health effects. To distribute bioactives and improve their bioaccessibility/bioavailability, a number of carriers have been created. Because they are safer, more environmentally friendly, more biocompatible than synthetic gels, oleogels (OGs) made from natural biopolymers are important materials with substantial scientific merit in the food sector. These gel delivery systems can transport lipophilic bioactives with a high loading capacity and release them in a regulated manner, with adjustable viscoelasticity. The focus of recent research has been on developing OGs for encapsulating bioactives to produce functional foods. As a result of their evolution, OGs now have a greater selection of raw material combinations, enhancing their suitability as carriers for bioactives. This study shows how the OGs can be formulated along with their preparation techniques, focusing on the connection between their structure and functional characteristics for a better understanding of the potential applications of OGs as bioactive delivery systems. Additionally, the gel structure’s shifting behavior in gastrointestinal tract is analysed, offering a chance to create pliable materials that provide enhanced protection or regulated release of bioactives. The prospects and difficulties for the advancement of OGs as a medium for loading bioactives are also discussed. To conclude, OGs are functionally unique and have the potential to be developed as carriers for a variety of industries. The usage and transmissibility of bioactives can be further enhanced by OGs, which is extremely important.