Introduction

Over the past few years, the demand for bioactive compounds offering health benefits has increased all around the globe. Bioactive compounds comprises numerous compounds such as polyphenols, alkaloids, carotenoids, terpenoids, glucosinolates, steroids, saponins, peptides, flavonoids, lignans, phytosterols, tannins, curcurminoids, quinones, phenolic acids and fatty acids, to name a few. These compounds are naturally found in a variety of sources including plants, fruits, vegetables, herbs, microorganicms, marine organisms, animals and insects (Benshitrit et al. 2012; McClements et al. 2009; Sagalowicz and Leser 2010). Bioacttive compounds are typically categorized as secondary metabolites, known for their potential in managing lifestyle disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, cholesterol imbalances, asthma, cancer, and diabetes mellitus (DM). In nature, bioactive compounds are not found in their free form, necessitating the use of various techniques for their extraction and isolation to facilitate their targeted application. While conventional methods like soxhlet extraction, maceration, and hydro-distillation are employed commercially, there is a growing demand for sustainable, chemical-free alternatives due to the excessive use of solvents and longer processing times. Therefore, novel extraction techniques, including ultrasound-assisted, enzyme-assisted, microwave-assisted, pulsed electric field-assisted, supercritical fluid, and pressurized liquid extraction processes, are gaining attention. Moreover, compounds are further purified using methods such as thin-layer chromatography (TLC), column chromatography (CC), low-pressure liquid chromatography (LPLC), medium-pressure liquid chromatography (MPLC), and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Given the inherent instability of these compounds, it becomes imperative to protect them from environmental factors like temperature, light, pH fluctuations, and moisture changes to protect there bioactivity. Additionally, for these compounds to exert their desired biological effects within the human body, they must be stable and capable of surviving the harsh conditions of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and stomach, necessitating the implementation of protective strategies to preserve their stability and bioavailability, allowing for controlled release and site-specific target delivery.