Abstract: Phenolic compounds are a group of secondary metabolites ubiquitously found in plants that contain multiple phenolic hydroxyl groups. Phenolic compounds have been proved to have a variety of biological activities. However, since phenolic compounds are insoluble in water and susceptible to photodegradation, their applications in the food industry are greatly limited. The delivery system is a technology commonly used for protecting bioactives and choosing the appropriate delivery systems can effectively reduce the degradation rate of phenolic compounds and improve their bioavailability. This article reviews current delivery systems to encapsulate phenolic compounds and their preparation methods. Problems existing in this field of research are discussed. Lastly, we conclude with some perspectives on future research priorities.

Key words: phenolic compounds, encapsulation, delivery systems, bioavailability