Production, properties, and applications of solid self-emulsifying delivery systems (S-SEDS) in the food and pharmaceutical industries

The food and pharmaceutical industries aim to develop innovative delivery systems to meet the increasing consumer demand for healthier and safer food products and to improve the efficacy of drug formulations, respectively. Many bioactive agents with beneficial physiological and pharmacological activities are difficult to deliver because of their poor water solubility, chemical instability, or low oral bioavailability. Nano- and micro-encapsulation technologies are therefore being developed to overcome these limitations. This review article provides an overview of several lipid-based carriers suitable for the encapsulation of nutraceutical and pharmaceutical molecules, including their structures, constituents, production methods, and applications. It then focuses on the preparation, characterization, and application of solid self-micro-emulsifying delivery system (S-SMEDS). Finally, potential challenges of using S-SMEDS and S-SNEDS as delivery systems in the food and pharmaceutical industries are addressed.