Novel technologies to enhance solubility of food-derived bioactive compounds: A review

•Food bioactives provide health benefits beyond their nutritional functions.•Low solubility is a major limitation for commercial application of bioactives.•Nanotechnology approaches can improve the solubility of lipophilic bioactives. Food-derived multifunctional bioactive compounds, such as carotenoids, fat soluble vitamins, phytosterols, polyunsaturated lipids, curcuminoids and flavonoid compounds provide promising therapeutic health benefits. However, the efforts in identifying their mode of action and applying them into food industry are still unsuccessful because majority of these compounds are water-insoluble and ingested are not delivered to the site of action, therefore, less bioavailable. Several strategies to enhance the water solubility have been developed over the years. There has been active research in the area during recent times. The present review will comprehensively discuss about novel technologies which have used to improve the aqueous solubility of bioactives.