Nanoencapsulation technology to control release and enhance bioactivity of essential oils

Essential oils are widely used in many industries due to their promising properties such as aroma, flavors, and medicinal properties. High volatility, partial solubility in water, and susceptibility for oxidation limits their stability. These problems must be resolved to improve their applicability in various fields. Encapsulation is one of the options to overcome these issues related to bioactivity of food items or essential oils. This review discusses various nanoencapsulation systems used for essential oils along with their methodology, properties, advantages, and limitations. Their mechanism of release demonstrates that nanoencapsulation of essential oils can sustain the release rate and extend the bioactivity of essential oils. Hence nanoencapsulation can greatly enhance the stability of these oils. This review also gives a brief account of various products available in the market based on this technology.