The new trends in drying technology seek a promising alternative to synthetic preservatives to improve the shelf‐life and storage stability of food products. On the other hand, the drying process can result in deformation and degradation of phytoconstituents due to their thermal sensitivity. The main purpose of this review is to give a general overview of common drying techniques with special attention to food industrial applications, focusing on recent advances to maintain the features of the active phytoconstituents and nutrients, and improve their release and storage stability. Furthermore, a drying technique that extends the shelf‐life of food products by reducing trapped water, will negatively affect the spoilage of microorganisms and enzymes that are responsible for undesired chemical composition changes, but can protect beneficial microorganisms like probiotics. This paper also explores recent efficient improvements in drying technologies that produce high‐quality and low‐cost final products compared to conventional methods. However, despite the recent advances in drying technologies, hybrid drying (a combination of different drying techniques) and spray drying (drying with the help of encapsulation methods) are still promising techniques in food industries. In conclusion, spray drying encapsulation can improve the morphology and texture of dry materials, preserve natural components for a long time, and increase storage times (shelf‐life). Optimizing a drying technique and using a suitable drying agent should also be a promising solution to preserve probiotic bacteria and antimicrobial compounds.

Gunnera tinctoria, an underexplored invasive plant found in Azores, Portugal, was studied regarding its nutritional, antioxidant, and antitumoral properties. Higher antioxidant activity was found in baby leaves, followed by adult leaves and inflorescences. A phenolic fraction of the plant was enriched using adsorbent resin column chromatography (DiaionTM HP20LX, and Relite EXA90). Antitumoral effects were observed with the enriched fractions in breast (MCF-7) and pancreatic (AsPC-1) cancer cell lines, being more pronounced in the latter. To improve protection and membrane absorption rates of phenolic compounds, nano-phytosomes and cholesterol-conjugated phytosomes coated with natural polymers were loaded with the enriched fraction. The particles were characterized, and their physiochemical properties were evaluated and compared. All samples presented anionic charge and nanometer size in relation to the inner layer and micrometer size regarding the external layers. In addition, the molecular arrangement of phenolics within both types of phytosomes were studied for the first time by molecular docking. Polarity and molecular size were key factors on the molecular arrangement of the lipid bilayer. In conclusion, G. tinctoria showed to be an interesting source of nutrients and phenolic compounds with anti-tumoral potential. Moreover, phytosome loading with these compounds can increase their stability and bioavailability having in view future applications.

The purpose of this study was to prepare functional formulations using two different types of Punica granatum (pomegranate) peels extracts (the native and the enriched extract), as an important source of polyphenolic compounds such as punicalagin and ellagic acid. These two extracts were microencapsulated by a spray-drying technique. Polyphenol constituents of P. granatum play a significant role in the prevention of different diseases from cancer to cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. In general, polyphenols are sensitive and present low bioavailability in the human body. Microencapsulation could be a perfect alternative to modify the reactivity, durability, sensitivity, and photosensitivity of these natural compounds. Arabic gum, pectin, and modified chitosan were used as biopolymers-based carriers in this research. The mean size of the microparticles prepared is between 2.55-6.86 μm (volume distribution). Release studies were implemented. The fastest release was observed for Arabic gum-based carriers. The pectin-based microparticles showed the slowest release profile. The Korsmeyer-Peppas model was adjusted to the experimental release profiles. In addition, some anticancer activity studies were performed. When incubated with the human gas-