## 2 Natural Bioactive Compounds for Food and Therapeutic Applications
\begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{l l l l l} \hline
**Class** & **Bioactive Compounds** & **Source** & **Technique** & **Ref.** \\ \hline \multirow{4}{*}{Saffron} & \multicolumn{2}{c}{Stigma of _Crocus sativus_} & Spray drying & [36] \\ \cline{2-5}  & Commercial & Freeze drying & [37] \\ \hline \multirow{4}{*}{Astaxanthin} & Commercial & Spray drying & [38] \\ \cline{2-5}  & Commercial & Complex coaecervation & [39] \\ \hline \multirow{2}{*}{Betalains} & \multicolumn{2}{c}{Cladodes of _Opuntiaficus-indica_} & Spray drying & [40] \\ \hline Betanin & Beetroot & Liposomal encapsulation & [41] \\ \hline Lycopene & Watermelon, tomato & Liposomal encapsulation & [42] \\ \hline Astaxanthin-oleoresin & _Haematococcuspluvialis_ & Spray drying & [43] \\ \hline \(\beta\)-carotene & Commercial & Spray drying/Freeze drying & [44, 45] \\ \hline Betacyanin & Beetroot juice & Spray drying & [46] \\ \hline \multirow{4}{*}{Carotonoids} & Paprika (_Capsicum annuum_ L.) & Spray drying & [47, 48, 49] \\  & oleoresin & Spray drying & [47, 48, 50] \\ \cline{2-5}  & Soy lecithin & Soy & Liposomal encapsulation & [50] \\ \hline \multirow{4}{*}{Anthocyanins} & \multicolumn{2}{c}{Jaboticaba (_Myricaria cauliflora_ (Mart.) [PERSON]_) pomace} & Freeze drying & [51] \\ \cline{2-5}  & \multicolumn{2}{c}{Blueberry} & Freeze drying & [52] \\ \cline{2-5}  & \multicolumn{2}{c}{_Echium ammonium_ petal} & Spray drying & [53] \\ \cline{2-5}  & \multicolumn{2}{c}{Sour cherries (_Prunus cerasus_ L.)} & Freeze drying & [54] \\ \cline{2-5}  & Anthocyanins & Grape skin & Emulsification/gelation and Spray drying/Freeze drying & [55] \\ \cline{2-5}  & \multicolumn{2}{c}{Black raspberry} & Complex coaecervation & [56, 57] \\ \cline{2-5}  & \multicolumn{2}{c}{Black rice (_Oryza sativa_ L.)} & Double emulsion/complex & [58] \\ \cline{2-5}  & \multicolumn{2}{c}{Pomegranate powder} & Spray drying & [59] \\ \cline{2-5}  & \multicolumn{2}{c}{Cornelian cherry fruits} & Spray drying/Freeze drying & [60] \\ \hline Flavors & Lactoferrin & Camel milk & Emulsion & [61] \\ \hline \multirow{4}{*}{Enzymes} & Thiol & Hydrolysate of mushroom & \multirow{4}{*}{Spray drying} & [62] \\ \cline{2-5}  & Thiol & protein & & \\ \cline{2-5}  & Mixed components & Roasted coffee oil & Miniemulsion/solvent evaporation & [63] \\ \cline{2-5}  & Cellulaes and & \multirow{2}{*}{Commercial} & \multirow{2}{*}{Spray drying} & [64] \\ \cline{2-5}  & Hemicellulaeses & & & \\ \hline \multirow{4}{*}{Vitamins} & Folic acid & Nano-spray drying/electrospraying & [65] \\ \cline{2-5}  & Vitamin E & & Spray drying & [66] \\ \cline{2-5}  & Vitamin E and C & \multirow{2}{*}{Commercial} & Spray drying & [67] \\ \cline{2-5}  & Beta-carotene & & Liposomal encapsulation & [68] \\ \cline{2-5}  & Vitamin E and C & & Liposomal encapsulation & [69, 70, 71] \\ \cline{2-5}  & Vitamin B\({}_{12}\) & & Emulsion & [72] \\ \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table} 
Table 1: _Cont._Another problem associated with the use of natural bioactive compounds either as food ingredients or as therapeutic agents is their distinct flavor and aroma. As aforementioned, any little deviation in the absorption rate affects the bioavailability of therapeutic compounds profoundly because the absorption rate of some phenolic phytochemicals such as anthocyanins, isoflav, stilbenes, flavonoids, and flavanones varies only from 1 to 9% [94]. Even a slight increase or decrease in their concentration may disturb the flavor and overall acceptability of the food products. This has posed a major obstacle for the development of food products with higher quality attributes and functional properties [3; 25; 95]. Thus, there is a need to develop novel delivery systems for these natural bioactive compounds into the food systems. These delivery systems must overcome all the limitations associated with the use of natural bioactive compounds as described above. One approach for the development of such a delivery system is the microencapsulation of natural bioactive compounds or active ingredients (Figure 1) in a capsule or matrix.