PLGA-based nanoencapsulation of prebiotics in food supplements to unlock their full potential for gut health

Abstract Prebiotics are non-digestible food components that selectively promote the growth and activity of beneficial gut microbiota, offering diverse health benefits such as improved digestion, enhanced immunity, and protection against various diseases. However, their incorporation into functional foods and therapeutic formulations is often limited by instability during processing, degradation during storage, and partial digestion in the upper gastrointestinal tract. Nanoencapsulation has emerged as a promising strategy to overcome these limitations by incorporating prebiotics into protective nanocarriers that enhance stability, control release, and enable targeted delivery to the colon. This review provides an updated overview of recent advances in prebiotic PLGA nanoencapsulation. These systems improve prebiotic retention, sustain release, and protect against harsh gastrointestinal conditions. Furthermore, nanoencapsulation supports the development of advanced synbiotic formulations, allowing for the synchronized release of prebiotics and probiotics, thereby enhancing the modulation of the gut microbiota. Despite significant progress, challenges remain regarding large-scale production, regulatory approval, and long-term safety. This review highlights nanoencapsulation as a transformative approach for developing next-generation prebiotic delivery systems and microbiome-targeted therapeutics.