How do various encapsulation techniques improve the oral delivery of food protein hydrolysates?

The development of bioformulations based on food protein hydrolysates (FPHs) has gained significant traction in the food and pharmaceutical sectors due to their biophysical and biochemical properties, including health-promoting effects, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. However, the oral delivery of FPHs presents notable technical challenges, largely due to their inherent limitations such as (bio)stability, permeability, bioavailability, and molecular size. This review provides a comprehensive overview of FPHs, including their structural characteristics, origins, methods of preparation, and associated health benefits. Additionally, it highlights the challenges related to their oral delivery. Recent advancements in the formulation and delivery of FPHs through biopolymeric controlled release systems-such as micro- and nanoparticles, hydrogels, biofunctional films and composites, and electrospun fibers-are discussed. We also explore lipid-based delivery platforms, including liposomes, chitosomes, emulsions, Pickering emulsions, nanostructured lipid carriers, solid lipid nanoparticles, and surfactant-based carriers. Furthermore, this article emphasizes the importance of controlled delivery and targeted release of FPHs following oral administration. The challenges in designing effective lipid/biopolymer-based carriers for FPHs, along with future prospects and opportunities in this growing field, are also thoroughly examined. Designing bioformulations based on food protein hydrolysates (FPHs) has gained momentum in food/pharma realm owing to their biophysical and biochemical attributes, including health-promoting activities, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. There are however technical hurdles towards their oral delivery, mainly owing to the inherent restrictions of FPHs including (bio)stability, permeability, bioavailability, and large size. Here we offer an overview on FPHs (e.g., structural properties, origin, preparation approaches, and health-promoting activities) and highlight the challenges in their oral delivery. Recent progress made on oral delivery and formulation of FPHs via biopolymeric controlled release systems (i.e., microscopic/nano-sized particles, gels, biofunctional films/composites, and electrospun fibers) and lipid-based carriers (i.e., liposomes and chitosomes, emulsions and Pickering emulsions, nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC), solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), and surfactant-based carriers) is discussed. Besides, controlled delivery of FPHs and their targeted release following oral delivery are underlined. We also detailed the challenges concerning the designing FPH-loaded lipid/biopolymer carriers and future opportunities in this field. image