Recent updates on bioaccessibility of phytonutrients

Background: Fruits and vegetables are rich source of phytonutrients. These phytonutrients are present in high concentrations in raw form, and decrease to some extent after processing. The major phytonutrients present in fruits and vegetables are vitamins, carotenoids, polyphenols, curcuminoids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, proteins, peptides, dietary fibers, oligosaccharides, and minerals that exhibit multiple beneficial effects on human health. Lots of research work has been carried out on assessing these phytonutrients in various fruits and vegetables however very limited knowledge is available on assessment of how much of these phytonutrients are available to exert their biological function in the human body. Scope and approach: In this review we attempted to provide updated information regarding the methods used for assessing bioaccessibility, extent of bioaccessibile phytonutrients from different food matrix and effect of different processing (boiling, microwaving, frying) and preservation techniques (dehydration and freezing) on bioaccessibility of phytonutrients. Key Finding and Conclusions: Food matrix, processing and preservation methods have major influence on the bioaccessibility of phytonutrients. Cooking, frying and pasteurization increased the bioaccessibility of polyphenols and carotenoids in fruits and vegetables. Dehydration can be a good technique to enhance the bioaccessibility of carotenoids. Freezing showed contradictory response on bioaccessibility as it increased bioaccessibility of phytonutrients in some fruits and decreased in others. To achieve maximum bioaccessibility of carotenoids, thermal treatment along with addition of oil is the best; to enhance ascorbic acid and polyphenols bioaccessibility thermal treatment is the best and for enhanced bioaccessibility of mineral and tocopherols high pressure-processing is most suitable.