Encapsulation of Vitamin E and Its Impact on Stability, Delivery, and Activity

Vitamin E is a lipid-soluble antioxidant with essential biological functions and broad industrial applications. However, its practical use remains constrained by poor aqueous solubility, susceptibility to oxidative and thermal degradation, and variable bioavailability. These limitations have prompted the development of advanced delivery systems to enhance its stability and biological efficacy. This review critically examines current encapsulation strategies for Vit E, with emphasis on how carrier composition and structural design govern its physicochemical behaviour and bioactive performance. Natural matrices based on carbohydrates and proteins provide biocompatible and versatile platforms for micro- and nanoencapsulation, enabling protection against degradation and controlled release. Synthetic polymers offer high tunability, allowing precise control over particle size, morphology, and release kinetics, particularly for pharmaceutical applications. Lipid-based carriers including emulsions, liposomes, and solid lipid nanoparticles mimic biological environments and are especially effective in improving Vit E incorporation, oxidative stability, and bioavailability. These approaches underscore the importance of interfacial and molecular interactions in determining carrier performance. Overall, optimizing Vit E delivery requires an integrated design of materials, processing conditions, and surface properties. Future efforts should prioritize mechanistic insights, improved in vitro–in vivo correlations, and the development of scalable, reproducible, and application-ready systems.