## 1 Introduction  
Currently, there is an increased interest in the analysis of medicinal plants used as functional foods and herbal medicines. Scientific research has developed exponentially in order to evaluate their constituents in secondary metabolites thanks to their applications as pharmaceuticals and food additives [1, 2]. However, phenolic compounds are the largest family of secondary metabolites. Therefore, medicinal plants are crucial sources of biological activities [3]. Okra (_Abelmoschus esculentus_ L.), also known as lady's finger, is an annual herbaceous vegetable crop plant belonging to the Malvacaee family. It is widely cultivated in Africa,Asia, southern Europe and the Americas [4]. Okra is basically used as an important vegetable thanks to its high vitamin and mineral content, dietary fiber, calcium content and low saturated fat content [5]. In addition, considering its photochemical compounds, okra has several bioactivities [6] such as anti-oxidant, immunomodulatory, anti-diabetic [7], anti-obesity [8], anti-cancer [3], anti-inflammatory, laxative, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-fungal, analgesic, neuroprotective and anti-fatigue activities [9]. Different parts of _Abelmoschus esculentus_ L. (leaves, buds, flowers, pods, stems and seeds) have many applications where the plant is considered a versatile crop [10]. Further studies reported that okra fruits have been used as a transitional medicines around the world due to their high content of polysaccharides and phenolic compounds, including flavonoids, which provide health-promoting benefits [11]. Similarly, okra leaves are also suitable for medicinal and industrial uses due to their polyphenic compounds, and are often used for their biological activities [12]. Thus, okra leaves contain natural anti-oxidants. In addition, the whole okra plant has medicinal applications, but leaves are the richest part of the plant in oligomeric catechins and flavonoid derivatives with anti-oxidant properties [13]. Globally, the major bioactive components of okra responsible for its several biological activities are polysaccharides and phenolic compounds [6]. Due to its excellent bioactivities and medicinal properties, recently, _Abelmoschus esculentus_ L. has been the subject of various studies. It is ordinarily considered that _Abelmoschus esculentus_ L. could be used as a natural anti-oxidant and antibacterial agent in foods and pharmaceutical domains [13; 14]. To have optimal efficiency, biomolecules must be in an appropriate form. Globules and microparticles are considered the most suitable form [15]. However, the phenolic content of Tunisian okra leaf, fruit and seed has not been well known until now. Therefore, research is needed to analyze its phytochemical content, anti-oxidant and bactericidal proprieties, which may have healthcare benefits for the community. Nevertheless, the phenolic compounds are influenced by external factors like light, temperature, pH, water and enzymatic activities [16; 17]. Therefore, the stability and durability of phenolic compounds should be protected from chemical and physical damage prior to their industrial application. Microencapsulation is an approach in which an active component is encapsulated by a protective layer at the microscale [18]. It is one of the techniques commonly used in the food industry to protect biomolecules extracted from various natural sources. From this perspective, there are various encapsulation methods [19]. Among them, spray drying is one of the most frequently selected process due to its low cost and flexibility. In addition, the drying parameters and the coating material usually affect the retention capacity of the encapsulated compounds within the matrix. Maltodext are one of the main wall materials used as microencapsulation agents [20; 21; 22]. It is a nearly economical polysaccharide with a neutral taste and aroma, and an effective coating material for protection [23]. In addition, pectin is one of the most commonly used encapsulating agents in the spray drying process.