Recent patents on the application of bioactive compounds in food: a short review

• Bioactive compounds is related to interest by consumers for healthier products.
• Nutraceutical products can be produced by addition of active compounds in foods.
• Future patents will probably emphasis on bioactives compounds in different foods.

Food bioactive compounds are natural components that have biological activity and in some instances provide nutritional value. They play an important role in the community health and safety due to confirmed roles in human growth and development, besides reducing disease risks. The use of bioactive compounds needs the use of appropriate and standard extraction methods of these compounds. In the industrial food category, food and beverages, nutraceuticals and animal feed products have the fastest growing, with strong consumer interest in energy enhancing, anti-aging, general well-being properties and relaxing products. The increased interest for these products could benefit both consumers and the industry, through contributions to improve consumers’ quality of life, adding value to industrial residues and generating more patents in these sectors.