Recent advances of octenyl succinic anhydride modified polysaccharides as wall materials for nano‐encapsulation of hydrophobic bioactive compounds

Polysaccharides can be esterified with octenyl succinic anhydride (OSA) to form derivatives with amphiphilic properties. The general preparation methods of OSA–polysaccharides are described, especially the aqueous method. The new hydrophobic groups introduced result in OSA–polysaccharides showing higher interfacial properties, better emulsifying stability, higher viscosity, and lower digestibility. There have been advances in the development of OSA–polysaccharides‐based nano‐encapsulation systems for hydrophobic bioactive compounds in recent years. Nano‐encapsulation systems are formed through nanoemulsions, nanocapsules, nanoparticles, micelles, vesicles, molecular inclusion complexes, and so on. This review aims to describe the preparation methods, the structure characterizations, and the physicochemical properties of OSA–polysaccharides as encapsulating agents. In addition, the focus is on the different nano‐encapsulation systems based on OSA–polysaccharides as wall materials. Future perspectives will concern OSA–polysaccharides‐based nano‐encapsulation systems with optimized functional properties for providing higher bioavailability and targeted delivery of various hydrophobic bioactive compounds. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.