Encapsulation of Bioactive Polyphenols by Starch and Their Impacts on Gut Microbiota

Polyphenols have various potentially beneficial effects on human health. However, the positive bioactivities depend on the bioavailability and bioaccessibility of polyphenols since many polyphenols are rapidly metabolized upon oral administration. Starch can interact with polyphenols and delivery them through the digestive tract. After physicochemical or enzymatic modification, the starch-based carriers can sustained-release or targeted-release polyphenols. The aim of this review is to discuss recent literature about impacts of bioactive polyphenols and starch on gut microbiota and the encapsulation of polyphenols by starch. Starch can control the polyphenol amount released in the upper digestive tract, thereby potentially protecting polyphenols to reach the lower parts of the digestive tract and alter abundance and composition of gut microbiota.